Nov. 16, 2009

Center Valley, Pa. - After leading his team to its first Patriot League title since 1991, Holy Cross senior quarterback Dominic Randolph was rewarded with his 16th-career Offensive Player of the Week award from the League on Monday. Lehigh players captured the remaining three honors after the Mountain Hawks won 35-28 at Fordham.

Randolph completed 23-of-37 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a touchdown to lead No. 13/14 Holy Cross past No. 20 Lafayette, 28-26, at Fitton Field on Saturday. The Crusaders clinch at least a share of the League title and the automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Football Championship, marking their first playoff appearance since 1983. Lehigh's honorees were Troy Taylor (Defense), Jarard Cribbs (Special Teams) and Bryan Andrews (Rookie). Taylor had 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble and pass breakup. Cribbs returned seven punts for 107 yards, including a long of 60 and another of 36. Andrews recorded four tackles, three pass breakups and a blocked kick in the game.

Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week

Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross Sr., QB, 6'3, 223, Amelia, Ohio/St. Xavier
Randolph extends his all-time Patriot League record to 16 Offensive Player of the Week awards, and does it after a game where he accomplished the one thing that had eluded him: win a Patriot League title. Randolph helped Holy Cross to its first League crown since 1991, and first playoff berth since 1983, by completing 23-of-37 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns and also rushing for a score. He shook off two early interceptions to rally Holy Cross back from a 19-7 second-quarter deficit with three straight scores to take a 28-19 lead. He rushed for 10 yards to finish the game with 358 yards of total offense. He threw for over 300 yards for the fifth time this year and 23rd in his career, and has passed 3,000 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns for the third straight season. Randolph also became the all-time FCS passing atempts leader in the game, and now stands with 1,687.

Troy Taylor, Lehigh Sr., LB, 6'2, 235, Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep
Taylor led a nine-sack effort for the Lehigh defense in a 35-28 win at Fordham on Saturday, as he filled the stat sheet with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble and pass breakup. The 11 tackles were a career high, and his forced fumble led to a Lehigh touchdown to tie the score at 14. Taylor has 35 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in his last four games.

Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week

Jarard Cribbs, Lehigh Jr., CB/PR, 5'10, 180, Waldorf, Md./Lackey
Cribbs' punt returns played a key role in Lehigh's win over Fordham, as he brought back seven punts for 107 yards in the 35-28 win. He had a long return of 60 yards in the second quarter, and also notched a 36-yard return in the period. Both big returns set up Lehigh touchdowns. He established career highs in punt returns and punt return yardage. Cribbs also notched an interception and six tackles from his cornerback spot in the game. He earns his second career Special Teams award.

Patriot League Rookie of the Week

Bryan Andrews, Lehigh Fr., DB, 6'0, 175, Evans, Ga./Greenbrier
Andrews recorded four tackles and three pass breakups and also blocked a kick to help Lehigh to a 35-28 win at Fordham on Saturday. It was his first multiple tackle game, and the tackles and pass breakups were both career highs. His breakup of a Fordham pass in the endzone on fourth down was the final play of the game, and his blocked kick in the fourth quarter preserved Lehigh's 35-28 lead.