Depadua grabs second conference weekly honor, national recognition

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University senior kick returner Jose Depadua (Frederick, Md.) has been named the Northeast Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance at Wagner last weekend.

Depadua, who shares the honor with Saint Francis U. kicker Lance Geesey, returned three kicks for 182 yards and a touchdown and also made two tackles on special teams. It is his second special teams honor of the season. Geesey set an NEC record with five field goals in the Red Flash victory over Central Connecticut. Depadua was also named an honorable mention for the STATS FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week.

Depadua's final two returns of the afternoon led directly to Bryant's final 14 points against Wagner. After the Seahawks finally got on the board, Depadua swung all the momentum back to Bryant as he took the ensuing kickoff 94 yards to the house. It was his second return TD of the season and the third of his career. He then helped the Bulldogs put the game away with a 76-yard return in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs would score two plays later. In addition, Depadua also tied career-highs with five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown and finished with 257 all-purpose yards. Depadua now ranks second in the country with an average of 32.1 yards per return.