Portsmouth, New Hampshire, senior cornerback earns honors for second time in career
EASTON, Mass. (November 13, 2017) – Stonehill College senior cornerback Donovan Phanor (Portsmouth, New Hampshire/Portsmouth) was named the Northeast-10 Conference's Defensive Player of the Week after capping his collegiate career with a strong performance in the Skyhawks Senior Day win over American International College on Saturday.
Phanor earns NE10 Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in his career after matching his career-high with nine tackles (career-best seven solo), with an interception and a fumble recovery as Stonehill posted its first win in program history over American International College with a 38-27 decision at W.B. Mason Stadium on Saturday. His interception in the third quarter near midfield was returned 25 yards to the AIC 22, which led to a Skyhawks touchdown two plays later to extend their lead to 31-21 after the Yellow Jackets had scored on the opening possession of the second half. Phanor recovered a fumble on AIC's next drive on the Stonehill 15.
Phanor finished his senior season ranked third among Stonehill's leaders in tackles with 48, including 31 solo, with 1.0 tackles for a loss of three yards, the one interception, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in ten games. He recorded six or more tackles five times this season, totaling eight stops (five solo) at LIU Post on September 16, and seven tackles (four solo), with a tackle for loss and breakup in a 56-30 win over Pace University on November 4.
Phanor played 42 games over his career at Stonehill, starting at corner his last three seasons. He finished with 140 tackles, including 92 solo, with 3.0 tackles for a loss of seven yards, six interceptions, 19 pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, ranking fifth in program history for career pass breakups. He also earned NE10 Defensive Player of the Week honors following the Skyhawks season-opening win over Bloomsburg (Pa.) University in 2015, also collecting the New England Football Writers Division II/III Gold Helmet Award following the seven tackle performance in which he added an interception, fumble recovery and pass breakup.
Phanor earned NE10 Academic All-Conference honors as a junior and has been named to the NE10 Commissioner's Honor Roll every semester and Athletic Director's Honor Roll multiple semesters as well.
Stonehill capped its 2017 season with a 6-4 record overall, marking its third finish above .500 over the last five years, including a 5-4 mark in the NE10, with its fourth winning season in Conference play over the last six years.
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