News: Lancers' Football Places 7 At Next Level

After posting a 7-4 season and a victory at the Tremblay Financial Services Bowl in 2008, the Pasadena City College football team has placed seven players at four-year universities, according to Acting Head Coach James Kuk. PCC had a primarily freshmen team in '08 with just 13 sophomores on the roster.

Wide receiver Owen Dixon committed to Valdosta State University in Georgia (NCAA Division II), a member of the Gulf South Conference. Dixon was PCC's leading receiver with 54 receptions for 828 yards and one of just two Lancers to be named All-National Northern Conference First Team.

Dixon, a 6-1, 195-pounder from Miami Killian High, Florida, is third on PCC's all-time receivers list with 89 catches for 1,277 yards over two seasons. He is one of only five Lancer players to ever record 50 catches in a season.

Running back Joshua Morgan accepted a scholarship at Abilene Christian University, Texas (Division II), a member of the Lone Star Conference. Morgan became just the 12th back in PCC history to rush for a 1,000 yards in a season. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound rusher from Encino's Crespi High is 18th on the Lancers' all-time rushing list (1,215 yards), right behind the college's most famous alumnus Jackie Robinson (17th, 1,251 yards, 1937-38).

Morgan was an All-NNC Second Team selection and led the Lancers in all-purpose yards in '08 with 1,347.

Wide receiver Titus Mack committed to North Dakota State (Division I-AA), a member of the Great West Conference. Mack, a sophomore transfer last season, made All-NNC Second Team after compiling 47 receptions for 766 yards and a team-leading nine receiving touchdowns. Mack led the Lancers in punt return yardage (one touchdown) and was second to Morgan in all-purpose yards with 1,004.

Originally from New Britain High in Connecticut, the 5-10, 180-pound Mack set PCC bowl records for most receptions (nine), most yards (179) and longest reception (83 yards). He scored two TDs in the Lancers' 45-14 Tremblay Bowl win over Southwestern College.

Defensive back Eugene Palmer is headed to Delaware State (Division I-AA), a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Palmer is a two-year letterman from Pasadena's John Muir High. The cornerback totaled 49 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass break-ups as a sophomore. Palmer led the Lancers in kick returns with a 26-yard average in 17 attempts.

Defensive lineman D.J. Grayson committed to Ottawa University in Kansas (NAIA), a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. Grayson, a 5-11, 250-pound transfer from Illinois State via South Shore High in Chicago, emerged as a pass-rushing lineman with 25 tackles, four sacks, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

Offensive lineman Craig Mobley transferred to University of San Diego (Division I-AA) on an academic scholarship. The 6-1, 285-pound lineman from Hawthorne High will be playing as a junior for the Toreros, members of the Pioneer Football League. Mobley blocked at all three offensive line positions at PCC for two seasons, including starting on the 2007 line in front of All-American quarterback David Pittman (now at University of Minnesota).

Kuk announced that quarterback Eldrin Jones, the MVP of the Tremblay Bowl and an All-NNC Second Team choice, is a "preferred walk-on" at the University of Kentucky. Kuk said he is awaiting a possible scholarship in the fall. Jones, from Miami Northwestern High in Florida, was spectacular in his only PCC season as he passed for 1,787 yards, 14 touchdowns, and rushed for an additional 487 yards and four TDs. The speedy, 5-8, 155-pound Jones also returned kicks (25.3 yard average in 14 attempts) and caught four passes for 46 yards.

Sack leader/nose tackle Zach Falldorf and running back Robert Daniels are expected to gain scholarships at four-year universities soon, Kuk said.

The Lancers open the 2009 season on Sept. 5 at state finalist Mt. San Antonio College.

[Photo--PCC football's 1,000-yard rusher Joshua Morgan is headed to Abilene Christian University on scholarship.]

Release Date: 06/16/2009
Contact: Robert Lewis , Sports Information
Phone: (626) 585-7018
Email: rmlewis@pasadena.edu