READING — Albright College quarterback Tanner Kelly, a former Clearfield Area High School football and basketball standout, has been named Middle Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year for the 2006 season.
The redshirt freshman, who came off the bench in two games and sat out another before being installed as the starter in the Lions\’ fourth game, finished first or second in the 11-team league in 10 individual categories and helped the Lions rank in the top two spots on seven team statistical lists.
Kelly was the MAC\’s No. 1 passer for completions (167), completion percentage (63.7), yards (2,075) and yards per game (230.6). He was the runner-up in attempts (262), touchdowns (19), fewest interceptions (6) and passing efficiency (149.6).
With an additional 234 yards for 64 carries, including sacks, the 6-3, 217-pounder also led the MAC in total offense with 2,309 yards for a 256.6 average that was 53 yards more than any other player.
Kelly registered the MAC\’s single-game high with 32 completions against Widener and was second in attempts with 47 in that game, second in passing yards with 335 and total offense with 417 yards against Lycoming.
Albright topped the MAC in passing offense (244 yards), total offense (377.3), first downs (191) and third down conversions (63-for-136) and was second in scoring (23.7 points), passing efficiency (139.9) and red zone offense (26 scores in 32 trips). The Lions reached the end zone 24 times and settled for field goals twice.
Kelly, who did not suffer any red zone interceptions, completed two of his three passes for PATs.
He also took over the punting duties for the Lions in the second half of the season and wound up with a 33-yard average for 27 kicks, with one touchback and five fair catches. And he was credited with one tackle.
Junior Al Karaffa of champion Wilkes was selected as the quarterback on the All-MAC first team, and senior Dan Kelly of Lebanon Valley was named to the second team.
Karaffa completed 143 of 237 passes for 1,755 yards and a 159.5 efficiency rating while guiding a balanced offense that featured the top running attack. The 11-0 Colonels, who also boasted the No. 1 defense, will host Rowan in an NCAA Division III second-round playoff game Saturday.
Dan Kelly was fourth among MAC passers with 139 completions in 221 attempts for 1,698 yards and a 169.8 efficiency rating. He had the most touchdown passes (20) and fewest interceptions (5).