(left to right): Defensive end Matt Hoffman and linebacker Andrew Yezzi
DEPTFORD, NJ – Rowan University linebacker Andrew Yezzi and defensive end Matt Hoffman were honored at the Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey’s 42nd Annual Awards Banquet held at Adelphia Restaurant on Wednesday, December 9.
Yezzi (sr. Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Reg.) was given the Rowan University Player of the Year Award. Hoffman (jr. Burlington, NJ/Burlington Twp.) was honored with the Person of the Year Award. The players were accompanied by Rowan head coach Jay Accorsi and associate head coach/defensive coordinator Pat Lancetta.
A team captain, Yezzi led the Profs in tackles for the third straight season. In nine games this year, he compiled 78 stops, 32 solo and 46 assisted. Yezzi was also first on the squad with 18 tackles for a loss (-78 yards). He totaled 5.5 sacks (-47 yards), three interceptions, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Yezzi returned one pick for a touchdown. In the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), he ranked second in forced fumbles (3), third in tackles for a loss (18.0), fifth in tackles (8.7), seventh in sacks (5.5) and 11th in passes defended (7). Yezzi was tied for ninth in interceptions (3). In the NCAA statistics, he is sixth with 2.0 tackles for a loss per game.
In his four-year career, Yezzi was a two-time NJAC All-Conference first team defense selection (2009 and 2008). He earned All-Conference second team honors in 2007. This season, he was chosen the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week once (Nov. 15). In 39 career games, Yezzi posted 292 tackles (139 solo, 153 assisted), 54.5 tackles for a loss (-210 yards), 14.5 sacks (-114 yards), 16 passes defended, eight interceptions, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He had two interception returns for touchdowns.
Hoffman becomes the first active player to ever receive the Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey’s Person of the Year Award. On Monday, November 16, Hoffman donated blood stem cells as part of the National Marrow Donor Program. He was selected as a matching donor to help cure a 52 year old man suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hoffman did not play in Rowan’s season finale against rival The College of New Jersey to make the donation.
Hoffman also had a big year on the field, registering 42 tackles (20 solo and 22 assisted), 12 tackles for a loss (-49 yards) and a team-high 6.5 sacks (-37 yards). He also blocked a punt. In the conference, Hoffman finished sixth in sacks (6.5) and eighth in tackles for a loss (12.0). He ranked 62nd in the NCAA in sacks per game (0.72) and 92nd in tackles for a loss per game (1.33).
In 2009, Hoffman was named to the NJAC All-Conference second team defense. He earned All-Conference honorable mention in 2008. In 22 career games, Hoffman has tallied 91 tackles (45 solo and 46 assisted), 27.5 tackles for a loss (-119 yards), 13.5 sacks (-91 yards), four passes defended, two forced fumbles, two punt blocks and one fumble recovery.
Rowan finished the season with a 7-3 record.