Phanor Named NE-10 Defensive Player of the Week

Portsmouth, N.H., sophomore corner leads Skyhawks to season-opening win
Skyhawks return to receiving votes category of AFCA Division II poll

Northeast-10 Conference Football Weekly Report

EASTON, Mass. (September 8, 2015) – Stonehill College sophomore cornerback Donovan Phanor (Portsmouth, New Hampshire/Portsmouth) has been named the Northeast-10 Conference's Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Skyhawks season-opening win at No. 11/14 Bloomsburg University on Saturday.

Phanor led a Stonehill defensive effort which held Bloomsburg to just 264 total yards, 68 of which came on a late fourth quarter scoring drive which produced the Huskies lone touchdown of the afternoon with 37-seconds remaining. He posted a career-high seven tackles (three solo), an interception, fumble recovery and pass breakup in the win as the Skyhawks limited Bloomsburg to just 178 passing yards. Phanor's fumble recovery helped set up Stonehill's first touchdown of the day, while his interception in Skyhawks territory kept the Huskies scoreless at the time and led to a field goal that put the visitors up 10-0 in the second quarter.

Phanor ranks 20th among NE-10 leaders with his seven tackles, while ranking second for interceptions (11th nationally) and is one of four Conference student-athletes with a fumble recovery (4th nationally) over the opening weekend of the season. Phanor appeared in all 11 games as a freshman, recording two tackles (one solo). The finance major was named to the NE-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll both semesters and Athletic Director's Honor Roll for the fall semester for having a semester grade point average over 3.20.

Born in Miami, Florida, Phanor is the son of Miguel Phanor and Ann St. Remy of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Another result of Stonehill's first win over a nationally-ranked squad since 2009 is the program appearing among teams receiving votes in this week's American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II poll released on Monday. The Skyhawks last appeared among teams receiving votes six weeks, including a string of five straight late in the season, during their NE-10 Regular Season Championship campaign in 2013. Stonehill first appeared among teams receiving votes in the September 23, 2013, poll. Bloomsburg marks the Skyhawks highest-ranked opponent they have defeated in program history.

Stonehill (1-0, 0-0 NE-10) is back in action after a short week when it visits Merrimack College for its NE-10 opener in North Andover, Massachusetts, on Friday at 7 p.m. The Skyhawks home opener is the following Saturday, September 19, when it hosts Pace University for a Conference matchup at W.B. Mason Stadium as part of Kickoff Weekend and Presidents' Cup Celebration at 6 p.m.

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