2021 NEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (COACHES): RB Malik Grant, Sacred Heart,...Grant could not have been a better backup plan when Sacred Heart lost All-American Julius Chestnut for eight weeks to an injury. The Empire State product stepped right in and carried the load for the NEC's top-ranked rushing attack. The 5-foot-7 running back rushed for 1,288 yards during the regular season, accounting for the third-highest total amongst Division I FCS leaders. Grant, who averaged 117.1 yards per game on the ground, broke the 100-yard rushing barrier in six of his 10 starts. He gained 5.7 yards per carry and found paydirt 11 times total (9 rush, 2 rec).Grant rushed for more than 180 yards in three consecutive Northeast Conference contests during the Pioneers' active six-game win streak. He piled up 228 yards on 28 carries in a 20-10 victory over Merrimack, breaking into the NEC's All-time Single-Game Top 25 with the performance. The junior running back gained 211 yards from scrimmage in a Week 7 triumph over Nutmeg State rival Central Connecticut. In Week 8, he rushed for 186 yards and two scores against Duquesne in a re-match of the 2020-21 NEC Spring Championship Game. - NEC Football