CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Freshman Malik Hamm has been named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week following a dominating performance at Fordham on Oct. 27.
 
Hamm rang up three sacks for a loss of 26 yards in Lafayette's 21-13 conference victory over the Rams. The defensive end held Fordham to minus-20 rushing yards on the afternoon and shut out Fordham in the second half, a team that had scored 41 points the week prior.
 
A starter in six games this season, Hamm leads the Patriot League with 7.5 sacks and is second among conference players in tackles for loss at 13.0. He has 39 tackles on the season, two forced fumbles and one fumble return of 22 yards.
 
His outstanding play has earned him a place on the watch list for the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award which has been presented to the top FCS freshman since 2011.
 
Hamm and the Leopards' defense will face a tough task on Saturday when Holy Cross comes to Fisher Stadium. The Crusaders are coming off a 56-0 shutout of Lehigh that included a 208-yard rushing day by Domenic Cozier.