(Morrisville, NY – Dec. 2013) The fall season laid the foundation for something great for Morrisville State College football, and throughout the year the team moved the needle on the all-time record charts for the first time in several seasons.
Besides setting 10 new single game team records, and 16 new single season team records, below is a listing of some of the individual records that were broken in 2013:
Junior quarterback Lemar Johnson (Ossining, N.Y.): The stellar year for the junior was nothing short of record breaking, as Johnson rewrote football history with a combined 16 new records. His return to college football this season found his name aside four new single game records, seven new season records, and at the top of five new career records. He set new single game marks in pass attempts (52), completions (32), yards (455) all against William Paterson, and passing touchdowns (5) versus Cortland. Johnson’s passing yard total was a new season record (2,510), along with passing touchdowns (23), completions (212), completion percentage (58.2%), passing yards per game (251.0), total offensive yards (3,149) and total offensive yards per game (314.9). After totaling just 1,200 yards his sophomore season, Johnson climbed to the top of the career leader board in passing yards in 2013 (3,854), passing touchdowns (33), completions (330), total offense (5,268) and total offensive yards per game (188.1).
Junior wide receiver Josh Powell (Yonkers, N.Y.): Powell set new marks in nine different categories: three single game records, two single season, and four career marks. He recorded a high 15 receptions against Cortland, also setting the career high 207 yards receiving and four touchdowns that same game. On the season, Powell moved up to the top spot in receiving yards (983) and receiving yards per game (98.3).
Closing in on records established by wide receivers coach BJ Lovett ’99, Powell now sits atop the record books in all-time receiving yards (1414), career receptions (102), all-purpose yards (2,816) and kick returns (1,366).
Junior punter Tyler Dunworth (Poestenkill, N.Y.): The junior made his way into the record books this season, setting two new single game records. His 46.9 yard punt average against Rowan took over the top spot, while he sent a punt for a record best 78 yards against Brockport in the season finale.
Senior safety Jeremy Stewart (Moravia, N.Y.): The senior was determined to make his senior season one to remember, and he did. Throughout the year, his efforts on the defensive side of the ball chipped away at the record linebackers coach Enrique Robinson ’13 set just a season ago, and with two games remaining in his career with the Mustangs, Stewart became the all-time leader in total tackles at 225.
No one can dispute that 2013 was an exciting one for Morrisville State, but there’s more to come. While Johnson, Powell and Dunworth each have a season remaining, others have moved into the top 10 as well, and 2014 could be the year of the Mustang.