CAREER PHOTO GALLERY
A linebacker with the Chargers, Michael Murphy collected 297 total tackles which remains among the top-10 in program history. During his tenure with the Chargers, Murphy helped lead New Haven to 27 wins, including back-to-back 8-2 seasons under Athletics Hall of Fame Head Coach Chris Palmer.
A native of Torrington, Conn., Murphy was a three-sport letterwinner at Torrington High School, playing basketball and running track in addition to football. Highlighting his career with the Red Raiders was receiving All-Naugatuck Valley League and the Charles Dugan Award as the team’s all-around player.
Coming out of Torrington High School, Murphy spent his first season with the Blue and Gold on the offensive side of the ball, leading the team with 310 rushing yards on 81 carries with a pair of touchdowns. He opened up his collegiate career with a 100-yard rushing game on 16 carries against UMass Lowell. In addition, Murphy completed six catches for 61 yards and returned a pair of kickoffs for 22 yards.
After transitioning to the linebacker position during the spring of his freshman season, Murphy collected 80 total tackles, including 50 solo, in his first season on defense. He also added a forced fumble. A menace to opponent’s offensive plans, Murphy became known as a player who would make the big plays and step up when needed.
In his junior season, Murphy collected 99 total tackles, second most on the team, which included 51 solo. Also among his tally was four sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as the Chargers defense was ranked 12th in total defense and 21st in scoring defense in all of NCAA Division II.
His senior campaign proved one for the record books as he closed out the season second on the team with 118 tackles, a number that remains sixth most in a single season. One of two captains that season, Murphy capped off his career earning New England Football Writer’s All-New England accolades as one of three members of the defense to earn that distinction in 1987.
In addition to his 118 single season tackles ranking sixth all-time, Murphy’s name can be found in three career record top-10’s; total tackles (7th, 297), assisted tackles (4th, 139) and solo tackles (7th, 158).
