BEVERLY, Mass. - Senior wide receiver Mike Murphy (Chelmsford, Mass.) and junior kicker and punter Dylan Rushe (Palos Verdes, Calif.) both had high-impact performances in a 50-45 victory over Western New England last Saturday evening. For their efforts, the NEFC has awarded them Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.
Murphy recorded a program record five touchdown receptions and surpassed former Gulls wide out Ryan MacLean ('07) as Endicott's all-time leading receiving with his 35-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter. Murphy finished the game with 11 catches for 139 yards and the Blue and Green needed all five of his touchdowns to hold off the Golden Bears in an offense-driven contest at Endicot Stadium.
Murphy has a team-leading 49 receptions, 719 yards, and 12 touchdowns on the season. His 1,795 career receiving yards puts him alone atop Endicott's all-time list.
Rushe once again proved the value of a strong kicking game against Western New England, scoring 12 points on two field goals, six extra points, strong kickoffs, and impressive punting. Rushe drilled field goals from 24 and 31 yards with his second kick providing the game-winning points. The junior pinned the Golden Bears inside their own 20-yard line three times, including one that led to a safety. He averaged 46.2 yards per punt with one punt going for a program record 69 yards. Rushe's kickoffs went an average of 59.8 yards and two of them sailed into the end zone for a touchback.
Murphy, Rushe, and the rest of the Gulls will play in their regular season finale on Saturday at 5:00 pm at home against MIT. Endicott will honor 15 players on the roster for Senior Day.