DANBURY, Conn. (pacathletics.org) - Washington & Jefferson College quarterback Jacob Pugh (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) and Allegheny College defensive back David Williams (Boca Raton, Fla./Boca Raton) highlighted the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) contingent when the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced its all-star teams and major award winners.

Pugh, already named the PAC's Offensive Player of the Year, was selected as the ECAC Division III Offensive Player of the Year, while Williams added ECAC Division III Rookie of the Year honors to his previous PAC Newcomer of the Year award.

Pugh is the first PAC player to be named ECAC Offensive Player of the Year since Grove City College running back Wesley Schools was recognized following the 2019 campaign and he is the first President to receive the honor since wide receiver Jesse Zubik in 2017. The W&J junior put together a spectacular campaign, as he finished as the conference leader in passing yards (2,984), touchdowns (38), completion percentage (64.7) and passing efficiency (181.4). Pugh also added 168 rushing yards on the season and scored three TDs on the ground, as he led the Presidents to a 9-2 record a win in the ECAC Jame Lynah Bowl over the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

This marks consecutive ECAC Rookie awards for players from the PAC, as Williams follows Grove City's Ben Bladel, who earned the award in 2022. Williams is the first Allegheny student-athlete to earn a major award from the ECAC and was only the second Gator to win the PAC's Newcomer of the Year award. An All-PAC Honorable Mention selection, the Florida native finished the 2023 season ranked 20th in Division III with 1.4 passes defended per game. The freshman cornerback broke up 11 passes with two interceptions, one forced fumble, and 21 total tackles. His interceptions came in Allegheny's wins over Waynesburg and Thiel.

Pugh and Williams led a strong group of PAC representatives on the All-ECAC teams, as a total of 13 players were recognized by the conference. Pugh was joined on the First Team offense by a pair of W&J teammates in sophomore wide receiver John Peduzzi and senior offensive lineman Angelo Fratini, as well as Allegheny senior wideout Declan O'Brien. 

Earning First Team accolades on defense was W&J junior defensive lineman Avery Keith, Westminster College sophomore linebacker Dylan Sleva and Carnegie Mellon University senior defensive back Adrian Williams.

Carnegie Mellon placed three players on the Second Team, including sophomore offensive lineman Sam Alligood, junior defensive lineman Mitchell Stokey and senior linebacker Robert Coury, while W&J had two more make the Second Team defense in junior defensive lineman Dawson Dietz and senior linebacker Tanner Volpatti. 
 

2023 All-ECAC and Major Awards
Division III Offensive Player of the Year: Washington & Jefferson junior quarterback Jacob Pugh
Division III Rookie of the Year: Allegheny freshman cornerback David Williams
First Team Offense
Pos.	Name	School	Yr.	Hometown/High School
QB	Jacob Pugh	W&J	Jr.	Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson
WR	Declan O'Brien	Allegheny	Sr.	Irwin, Pa./Norwin
WR	John Peduzzi	W&J	So.	Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy
OL	Angelo Fratini	W&J	Sr.	Burgettstown, Pa./Burgettstown
First Team Defense
Pos.	Name	School	Yr.	Hometown/High School
DL	Avery Keith	W&J	Jr.	Hartville, Ohio/Lake
LB	Dylan Sleva	Westminster	So.	Moon Township, Pa./Moon
CB	Adrian Williams	Carnegie Mellon	Sr.	Venetia, Pa./Peters Township
Second Team Offense
Pos.	Name	School	Yr.	Hometown/High School
OL	Sam Alligood	Carnegie Mellon	So.	La Jolla, Calif./La Jolla Country Day School
Second Team Defense
Pos.	Name	School	Yr.	Hometown/High School
DL	Mitchell Stokey	Carnegie Mellon	Jr.	New Philadelphia, Ohio/New Philadelphia
DL	Dawson Dietz	W&J	Jr.	Allison Park, Pa./Hampton
LB	Robert Coury	Carnegie Mellon	Sr.	Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg
LB	Tanner Volpatti	W&J	Sr.	Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park