Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute student-athlete Rory McCarthy of Oneida has been chosen for a weekly football award by the Liberty League.
McCarthy (Oneida High School) was named Defensive Performer of the Week after leading the Engineers defense with nine tackles, including four unassisted, while also intercepting a pass in a 30-15 victory at No. 25 Alfred University. His interception came at the RPI 9-yard line early in the second quarter with RPI trailing 7-3.
Through seven games this season, McCarthy has 17 solo tackles and 19 assisted stops for a total of 36, which ranks third on the team. He has three interceptions – second on the Engineers – with three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He has multiple tackles in every game with 24 coming in the last three contests. Saturday’s total marked a career-high. McCarthy, who registered two assisted tackles as a sophomore, has also punted twice this season. He had a 49-yard effort and a 41-yarder at Hobart College on October 7.
Rensselaer, which is 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference, returns to action on Saturday when it plays at league foe St. Lawrence University (1pm).