Conference

Eric Macik, Monmouth
Landisville, PA / Hempfield
DL
Freshman
6-2
250

Macik spearheaded a pass rush that bottled up Sacred Heart and quarterback Tim Little during the second half of Monmouth’ 31-17 NEC victory. Macik recorded five stops, including 3.0 tackles for a loss, and led an effort that held Sacred Heart, which had averaged over 535 yards per game the previous two weeks coming into the contest, to 287 yards of total offense.  The 6-foot-2 freshman, who was credited with 2.0 sacks and an additional quarterback hurry, made a trio of drive-killing plays on third down. With Sacred Heart facing a 3rd-and-5 from Monmouth’s 30-yard line late in the first half, Macik pressured Little into an interception.  After the Pioneers scored on their first possession after halftime to take a 14-10 lead, the Hawks’ defense tightened. Monmouth limited SHU to just 69 total yards and sacked quarterback Tim Little six times over the final 27:31 of the contest.  Macik came up with his first sack when he dropped Little for a 10-yard loss on a 3rd-and-6 play on the Pioneers’ second drive of the second half.  The rookie defensive end delivered again on SHU’s next possession, sacking Little for a loss of nine on 3rd-and-10 and forcing a fumble that the Hawks recovered at the SHU 37.  Macik also twice dropped SHU ball carrier Greg Moore on 1st-and-10 plays, once for a two-yard loss and the other for a one-yard gain.