Nov. 22 Players of the Week
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:36 pm
CAA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK -- NOV. 23
RICHMOND, Va. (November 23, 2009) -- CAA Football announced its Player of the Week honorees, Monday, Nov. 23. Four individuals earned honors after showcasing superb efforts in contests played in Week 12 of the 2009 season, including Hofstra’s Cory Christopher, James Madison’s Justin Thorpe, Northeastern’s Mat Johnson and Richmond’s Martin Parker.
CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week - Cory Christopher, QB, Hofstra
Christopher earns CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week honors after leading Hofstra to a 52-38 win over Massachusetts to close out the 2009 season. The senior quarterback completed 38-of-50 passes for a career-high 484 yards and three touchdowns. The Miami, Fla., native also rushed nine times for 33 yards and a touchdown. Christopher, who completed passes to nine different receivers on the day, set a career mark with his 38 total completions. The senior finished his Hofstra career with 3,251 yards passing which is eighth-best in Pride history.
CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week - Martin Parker, DL, Richmond
Parker, the CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week, led Richmond to a 13-10 win over William and Mary at home Saturday. The junior defensive lineman finished the game with six tackles and a sack for nine yards. The New Haven, Conn., native was part of a defense which limited the Tribe to 65 yards on the ground and surrendered a field goal to William and Mary on its only trip inside the red-zone. Parker and Spider defense also held William and Mary to a season-low 10 points -- the Tribe’s fewest since garnering three points in a loss at Virginia Tech in 2007.
CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week - Mat Johnson, PK, Northeastern
Johnson, the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week, was responsible for a career-high 15 points in Northeastern’s 33-27 win on the road over Rhode Island Saturday. The senior booted two career-long 42-yard field goals and added makes from 29 and 22 on the day. The Ankeny, Iowa, native, who was also 3-for-3 in PAT’s against the Rams, ended his senior season for the Huskies 6-for-6 in field goal attempts and a perfect 22-for-22 on PAT’s.
CAA Football Rookie of the Week - Justin Thorpe, QB, James Madison
Thorpe earned his third Rookie of the Week honor this season by leading James Madison to a 43-12 win over Towson Saturday, marking the Dukes’ fourth-straight win to end the season. The Richmond, Va., native was 14-of-21 for 259 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers. The redshirt freshman also ran 10 times for 32 yards. Thorpe’s 14 completions mark a season-best, while his 259 passing yards were three shy of his total of 262 yards in JMU’s win at Delaware. The rookie completed passes to six different receivers, including three different receivers who recorded touchdown catches.
MVFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
This week's Players of the Week in the Missouri Valley Football Conference are QB Brandon Summers of Youngstown State, DB E.J. Jones of Illinois State, and PK Zach Kutch of Illinois State - each played a key role in his team's last-second come-from-behind victory on Saturday.
Offense
QB Brandon Summers, Youngstown State, 6-2, 200, Sr., Southfield, Mich. (Southfield/Toledo)
The reigning MVFC Offensive Player of the Week, Summers rallied the Penguins from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to pull out a 39-35 win at North Dakota State. Summers threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, including the game-winning score to Dominique Barnes with 22 seconds remaining. Summers, who was injured last week in the win over Illinois State, did not play the first quarter before coming on in the second period. He was 23-of-34 for 259 yards and three scores. He set the school mark for single-season completions (219) and passing percentage (64.2). In the fourth quarter, Summers completed two passes on fourth downs to keep the comeback bid going. He was 13-of-19 on the final two drives of the game. It was YSU's first fourth-quarter rally for a win since 2007 vs. Southern Utah and largest fourth-quarter rally since beating James Madison in 2006 playoffs.
Defense
DB E.J. Jones, Illinois State, Jr.-1L, 5-11, 190, Edwardsville, Ill. (Grandview Heights HS/Minnesota)
Jones recorded two interceptions, including one late in the fourth quarter, to help secure a 22-20 come-from-behind win for Illinois State over No. 9 Northern Iowa on Senior Day. The Edwardsville, Ill., native picked off UNI quarterback Zach Davis twice, one late in the second quarter and the second with just 2:21 left in the game as UNI was driving in Illinois State territory. Jones also recorded eight tackles on the day, seven of which were solo stops, and recorded a tackle-for-loss. Jones’ two interceptions in the game gave him six for the season, the most by a Redbird player since 1989.
Special Teams
PK Zach Kutch, Illinois State, Sr.-1L, 5-9, 175, Milton, Fla. (Milton HS/Auburn)
Kutch put a cap on a stellar senior season with three field goals in Illinois State’s 22-20 come-from-behind victory over No. 9 Northern Iowa on Senior Day at Hancock Stadium. The Milton, Fla., native connected on a career-long 52-yard boot in the first quarter to give the Redbirds a 3-0 lead and followed that up with a 30-yard make in the second quarter to extend the ISU lead to 13-0. He capped off the day with a 51-yard bomb into the wind late in the quarter, making him the first Redbird kicker in school history to hit two field goals from 50 yards or more in the same game and just the fifth player in league history to accomplish that feat. Overall, Kutch finished the day 3-for-4 in field goal attempts after a 51-yard attempt was blocked in the fourth quarter. With his three field goals, Kutch set a new single-season record at ISU with 22 made on the season topping the previous mark of 19 set in 1995 by Todd Kurz.
KEY PERFORMERS
Offense
QB Paul McIntosh, Southern Illinois
McIntosh accounted for four touchdowns as he led the Salukis to their 10th-straight victory. He rushed for three scored and threw for another. McIntosh completed 12-of-18 passes for a career-high 181 yards and he added 101 yards rushing on 13 carries. His 100-yard game was just the 11th by a quarterback in school history… His longest completion on the day was a 49-yarder to Matt Guinn and his longest rush was his 15-yard touchdown that was the first score in Saturday’s game.
QB Zach Davis, UNI
Davis, who entered the game in the second quarter following an injury to starter Pat Grace, passed for 189 yards and two scores in the final five-plus minutes of the game. Davis rallied the Panthers from a 16-3 deficit and appeared to have put the Panthers in the winning column with TD passes of 19 yards to Jarred Herring (5:12 left) and 36 yards to Schuylar Oordt (0:44 left). Davis also rushed seven times for 34 yards against the Redbirds.
RB Kyle Minett, South Dakota State
Minett recorded 22 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns in South Dakota State's 27-7 victory at Western Illinois on Nov. 21. He scored on a 39-yard touchdown run on the second offensive play of the game and added a 1-yard TD run in the second quarter. Minett posted his sixth 100-yard game of the season and 13th of his career in the victory.
RB Pat Paschall, North Dakota State
Paschall rushed 27 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns in North Dakota State's 39-35 loss to Youngstown State on Saturday. He finished the season with 1,397 yards and 16 TDs on 207 rushes for an average of 6.75 yards per carry. It was the 10th 100-yard rushing effort for Paschall in 10 games this season and 14 games in his career. Paschall moved up three spots on the NDSU all-time charts into 8th position and finished his career with 2,528 yards on 399 carries and 23 touchdowns in 29 career games. Paschall passed Doug Lloyd (2,410 yards, 1985-88), Kevin Feeney (2,473 yards, 1995-98) and former teammate Tyler Roehl (2,512 yards, 2004-08) against Youngstown State.
WR Eyad Salem, Illinois State
Salem hauled in the game winning-touchdown with 0.6 seconds left on the clock as Illinois State came from behind on the final drive of the game to defeat No. 9 Northern Iowa 22-20 on Senior Day at Hancock Stadium. The Elgin, Ill., native caught the eight-yard strike from freshman quarterback Matt Lancaster on the final play of his record-setting career at Illinois State. Salem finished the game with nine catches for 74 yards to lead all receivers. With those nine receptions, Salem set a new school and MVFC single-season record with 92, breaking the previous mark of 86 set in 2005 by Laurent Robinson, and finished his career with 186 catches in just three seasons which ranks second all-time at ISU behind Robinson’s 192.
Defense
DE Danny Batten, South Dakota State
Batten recorded a career-high three sacks among his seven tackles in South Dakota State's 27-7 victory at Western Illinois on Nov. 21. SDSU held Western Illinois to 77 net yards rushing and held the Fighting Leathernecks to 3-of-14 on third down attempts.
DB Quentin Scott, UNI
Scott led a strong defensive charge in the second half with a blocked punt, interception and three tackles against Illinois State. Scott blocked a Kevin Mazur punt with the Panthers trailing 16-3 in the third quarter. The blocked punt resulted in a field goal for the Panthers. Scott intercepted a fourth quarter pass by Illinois State's Matt Lancaster to set up another Panther short field at the Illinois State 34-yard line.
ILB Brandin Jordan, Southern Illinois
Jordan recorded his third game of the season with 10 or more tackles, as he finished with a game-high 11 tackles in SIU’s win at Southeast Missouri State. Jordan had one huge sack for a loss of nine yards. Nine of his 11 tackles in the game were solo. Jordan surpassed Bart Scott for sixth place on SIU’s career tackles record list. Jordan now has 354 career tackles, 11 sacks and 35.5 career tackles for a loss.
Special Teams
PK Billy Hallgren, UNI
Hallgren knocked in field goals from 25 and 39 yards and also tacked on a pair of extra points in a 22-20 loss at Illinois State. Hallgren capped his regular season going 43-of-43 on extra points. He also has made nine of his last 10 field goals.
CB Lenny Wicks, Youngstown State
Wicks returned a blocked punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the Penguins' 39-35 come-from-behind win over North Dakota State. With the contest tied 14-all in the second quarter, Torrance Nicholson blocked a field-goal attempt and Wicks scooped it up to race 79 yards for the touchdown. He also had two kickoff returns for 43 yards and was credited with six total tackles, including four solos to go along with a pass breakup
RS Richard White, Southern Illinois
White returned his only kickoff 59 yards, setting up the Salukis at the Redhawk 25-yard line. It was the longest kickoff return of White’s career.
Big Sky honors Nichols, Herrick Webb, Mariani
OGDEN, UTAH (Nov. 24, 2009) - The Big Sky Conference has selected its final football Players of the Week for the 2009 season. Northern Arizona quarterback Michael Herrick and Eastern Washington quarterback Matt Nichols are the Co-Offensive Players of the Week. Weber State linebacker Nick Webb is the Defensive Player of the Week. Montana punt returner Marc Mariani is the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Herrick, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior from Valencia, Calif., tied a Big Sky single-game record with 47 completions in 65 attempts for 574 yards with four touchdowns in Northern Arizona’s 49-45 loss to Eastern Washington. Herrick’s 574 yards set the Lumberjack single-game record and was the fourth-most in league single-game history. It’s the highest total by an FCS quarterback this season, and the 11-best total in single-game history. Herrick helped Northern Arizona recover from a 42-27 fourth-quarter deficit to take a 45-42 lead. This is Herrick’s second Player of the Week honor this season.
Nichols, a 6-foot 3, 220-pound senior from Cottonwood, Calif., closed out his regular season with another stellar effort, completing 22-of-33 passes for 408 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the Eagles’ 49-45 win over Northern Arizona. Nichols, a leading candidate for the Walter Payton Award, threw a 60-yard touchdown to Ed Berry for the game-winning score with 3:30 to play. The win moved Eastern Washington to 8-3 and helped the Eagles’ secure an at-large bid in the Division I Playoffs. In his last five games, Nichols has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,840 yards with 20 touchdowns, no interceptions and an efficiency rating of 183.0. This is Nichols’ third Player of the Week Honor this season and the seventh of his career.
Webb, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore from Salt Lake City, Utah, recorded nine tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in Weber State’s 47-14 must-win over Cal Poly. The victory moved Weber State to 7-4 and helped the Wildcats secure an at-large bid in the playoffs. Webb finished with seven solo tackles and two assisted tackles. He had one tackle for loss. Weber State held Cal Poly, which scored 48 points and rolled up 533 yards of total offense, to just 14 points and 314 yards of total offense. This is Webb’s first Player of the Week Honor.
Mariani, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior from Havre, Mont., returned three punts for 120 yards and also caught two touchdowns, to help No. 3 Montana to a 33-19 win over No. 23 Montana State. The victory helped the Grizzlies secure the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, and finish off an 11-0 regular season. Mariani’s long punt return was a 53-yarder. He helped set up one touchdown with a long return. He caught six passes for 63 yards, including TD catches of 9 and 6 yards. This is Mariani’s second honor this season and the fifth of his career.
Others Nomianted for Weekly Honors
Offense
Andrew Selle, QB, Montana
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB, Sacramento State
Cameron Higgins, QB, Weber State
Defense
Paul Ena, LB, Eastern Washington
Shann Schillinger, S, Montana
Dane Fletcher, DE, Montana State
Peter Buck, LB, Sacramento State
Special Teams
Kevin Miller, K, Eastern Washington
Jon Hendershott, Ret., Sacramento State
Matt Meyers, K, Northern Arizona
Mike Snoy, K, Weber State
SoCon Announces Final Football Players of the Week
Sorrells, Wade, Johnson and Hooper Earn Weekly Honors
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, Nov. 21. Furman quarterback Jordan Sorrells was named Offensive Player of the Week while teammate Nathan Wade, a free safety, was chosen as the Defensive Player of the Week. Western Carolina running back Michael Johnson was tabbed as the Freshman of the Week, and Samford’s Bob Hooper was honored as Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the conference office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jordan Sorrells, Furman, Sr., QB
Playing in his final collegiate game, Sorrells completed 25-of-36 passes for 272 yards and career-high five touchdowns in leading Furman to a 58-21 victory over Wofford, thereby securing a third place SoCon league finish for the Paladins. The senior’s touchdown passes, which covered 3, 13, 6, 6, and 29 yards, were the most by a Paladin QB since 1991 and gave him 42 for his career, tying him with Ingle Martin for the most TD passes in Furman history.
Other Nominees: Devon Moore (Appalachian State), Terrell Hudgins (Elon), Michael Johnson (Western Carolina), Chris Evans (Samford), Lee Chapple (Georgia Southern) and Shaun Kermah (Chattanooga).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nathan Wade, Furman, R-Fr., FS
Wade keyed a strong Furman defensive effort, racking up a career-high 16 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and an interception in Furman's 58-21 win over Wofford, thereby securing a third place SoCon league finish for the Paladins. His interception and 8-yard return set up a touchdown that gave the Paladins a 44-0 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Other Nominees: Lanston Tanyi (Appalachian State), Bryce Smith (Samford), Mitchell Bell (Western Carolina), Brandon Ward (Elon), J.B. Shippy (Georgia Southern) and Steven Smigelsky (Chattanooga).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Michael Johnson, Western Carolina, Fr., RB
Johnson recorded his second-career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 105 yards and a touchdown in the Catamounts’ 19-14 loss to No. 6 Appalachian State. Each of Johnson’s 100-yard games this season have come against the No. 6-ranked team in the country, on Nov. 7 against Elon and again Saturday versus ASU. Johnson also added a reception on the afternoon.
Other Nominees: Nathan Wade (Furman), Dale Riley (Elon), Darius Eubanks (Georgia Southern) and Joshua Williams (Chattanooga).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bob Hooper, Samford, So., P
Hooper punted seven times for an average of 45.3 yards per kick in Saturday’s 27-7 loss to 10th-ranked Elon. Hooper had a long punt on the day of 51 yards. The sophomore, who ranks 12th nationally with a 41.5-yard average on the season, also placed two punts inside the Elon 20-yard line.
Other Nominees: Mike Hammons (Chattanooga), Charlie Edwards (Georgia Southern) and Blake Cain (Western Carolina).
Great West Players of the Week from Week No. 12
For the second time this season, Southern Utah swept the Great West Player of the Week honors, with Cade Cooper winning the Offensive award, defensive back Colin Pretlow earning the Defensive honor and kicker Ryan Griffith captur¬ing the Special Teams award. The Thunderbirds ended the season on a high note with a 37-32 victory at San Diego, and in the process, won their first road game of the season and won the most games in a season since 2006. Cooper ended his SUU career with 273 yards through the air and three TDs, Pretlow had nine tackles and a key interception and Griffith kicked three FGs in the victory. SUU also won all three weekly honors after its win over UC Davis on Oct. 31.
Offensive
QB Cade Cooper - Southern Utah (6-3, 210, Sr., Lehi, Utah)
Playing in his last game as a Thunderbird, Cade Cooper completed 22-of-31 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns, and he also carried eight times for 48 yards in Southern Utah’s victory at San Diego. He became school’s single-season passing leader with 2,988 yards and finished No. 2 on the SUU single-season total offense list with 3,143 yards (only the second player in SUU history to crack the 3,000 yard mark). Cooper also extended his own single-season touchdown passes record to 31, as well as his single-season completions record to 276. He also set the single-season pass attempts record at SUU with 423. Cooper completed five of his first seven passes as SUU jumped out to a 10-0 lead, then threw just three incomplete passes in the second half (9-of-12 in the second half).
Also Nominated - QB Greg Denham (UC Davis)
Defensive
DB Colin Pretlow - Southern Utah (5-10, 176, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
Defensive back Colin Pretlow led Southern Utah with nine tackles, including a team-high seven solo tackles, but it was his interception in the final minute that sealed the 37-32 win over San Diego. Pretlow also forced a fumble early in the second half that led to a touchdown that gave SUU a 27-13 advantage. He leads team with four interceptions, the most by a Thunderbird since the 1999 season and he also leads team with three fumbles forced.
Also Nominated - Curtis Dublanko (UC Davis)
Special Teams
K Ryan Griffith - Southern Utah (6-0, 185, Sr., Hemet, Calif.)
Wide receiver turned kicker Ryan Griffith hit three of four field goal attempts and all four of his extra points in SUU’s 37-32 victory over San Diego. He hit field goals of 41, 34 and 27 yards, and his only missed field goal came from 50-yards out, which would have been a career-long. The three field goals in a game tied the mark for second-most in a contest at SUU, behind only his own record of five, set earlier this year against Dixie State. Along the way he set the SUU single-season record for field goals and tied the extra points record. He finished with 15 field goals, bettering the old SUU record by two, and 43 PATs, tying Dave Pretzer’s mark set in 2000 (Pretzer (2001) and Herkey Marxen (1989) co-held the old field goal record).
Also Nominated - P/K Colton Schmidt (UC Davis)
Southland Conference Announces Football Players of the Week
Central Arkansas’ Grimes, Nicholls’ Felder and Stephen F. Austin’s Nelson recognized
FRISCO, Texas – Central Arkansas running back Brent Grimes, who recorded career highs with 39 carries and 181 yards in a loss at McNeese State last Saturday, was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. The conference also recognized Nicholls defensive back Bobby Felder as the defensive player of the week and Stephen F. Austin punter Drew Nelson as the special teams player of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Brent Grimes, Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas running back Brent Grimes had career highs in carries (39) and yards (181) in a losing effort against No. 10 McNeese State, 21-17. The senior from Baton Rouge, La. (Redemptorist), extended his Central Arkansas career scoring record with touchdown runs of 3 and 1 yards. Grimes surpassed the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career and now has a conference-leading 1,085 yards this season. He also caught three passes for 24 yards. This is Grimes’ first player of the week award this season.
Honorable Mention: Da’Marcus Griggs, Texas State; Marlin Meeks, Nicholls; Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin.
Defensive Player of the Week: Bobby Felder, Nicholls
Nicholls defensive back Bobby Felder recorded two interceptions against Southeastern Louisiana and returned one of them 63 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the first quarter. The Colonels led the rest of the way and took the victory 45-30. The sophomore from McComb, Miss. (McComb), totaled 107 yards on interception returns. Felder had five solo tackles in the Thursday night game on the Southland Conference Television Network. Felder has three career interceptions, all of which have come against Southeastern Louisiana. This is Felder’s first player of the week award this season.
Honorable Mention: Devin Ducote, Stephen F. Austin; Matt Kreamer, McNeese State; Joplo Bartu, Texas State.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Drew Nelson, Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin Punter Drew Nelson averaged 47 yards on four punts in the Lumberjacks 19-10 win over Northwestern State. The sophomore from Livingston, Texas (Livingston), pinned the Demons inside the 20-yard line one time and totaled 188 yards on his four punts.
Honorable Mention: Ben Follis, Texas State; Jonathan Beard, Central Arkansas.
MEAC ANNOUNCES WEEKLY FOOTBALL HONORS
SCSU’s Ford and NSU’s Whitehead Earn Top Weekly Honors
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., November 23, 2009 – South Carolina State’s Will Ford was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. Terrell Whitehead of Norfolk State was named the Defensive Player of the Week.
Martin Ukpai of Florida A&M earned Rookie of the Week honors while Mike Maloney of Delaware State earned Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades. Willie Carter of South Carolina State was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively.
Ford (RB, 5-11, 200, Sr., Travelers Rest, SC) became the MEAC’s all-time rushing leader after recording 156 yards on 23 carries with one touchdown in the Bulldogs regular season finale against North Carolina A&T. Ford, who currently has 4,650 career rushing yards, surpasses the mark of Hampton’s Alonzo Coleman (4,648) set in 2006.
Whitehead (DB, 6-2, 200, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va.) intercepted a pass in the first quarter and returned it 58-yards for a touchdown. He also forced and recovered a fumble in the second quarter and tallied four tackles, one solo, in the Spartans 21-16 win over Winston-Salem State.
Ukpai (QB, 6-3, 170, r-Fr., Plantation, Fla.) rushed 66 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown in the Rattlers 42-6 victory over Bethune-Cookman. He also completed 8-of-11 passes for 151 yards and a passing TD in his first collegiate start.
Maloney (RT, 6-6, 325, Sr., Chicago, Ill.) graded out at 95-percent of his assignment as the Hornets offense accounted for 410 yards of total offense, including 315 yards passing, in a 30-20 victory over Howard. Maloney added a season-high 11 pancake blocks in the win.
Carter (WR, 6-3, 190, Denmark, SC) returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, the first of his career, in Howard’s 30-20 loss to Delaware State. He concluded the game with 120 kick return yards on three attempts.
Other Top Performances
DeAngelo Branche (NSU) rushed 24 times for 118 yards with two touchdowns in the Spartans 21-16 victory over Winston-Salem State. He also caught two passes for 62 yards.
Will Croner (HOW) recorded nine tackles, two solo, with one for a loss of four yards and one force fumble in Howard’s loss the Delaware State.
Johnny Culbreath (SCSU) led the Bulldogs blocking that accounted for 458 yards of total offense and yielded no sacks. He graded out at 84-percent on his assignments.
David Erby (SCSU) collected seven tackles, six solo, with one for an eight-yard loss in the Bulldogs win over the N.C. A&T Aggies.
Riley Flickinger (DSU) converted three field goals, including kicks of 35, 20, and 29 yards, to tie a career-best for made field goals in the Hornets victory over the Bison.
Alvis Graham (FAMU) registered seven tackles, five solo, with one for a loss of one yard against the Wildcats.
Jaashawn Jones (DSU) rushed 31 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Hornets 30-20 victory over Howard.
Markeece Preseton (NSU) recorded a season-high five pancakes and graded out at 87-percent of his assignments as the Spartans posted 388 yards of total offense against WSSU.
Philip Sylvester (FAMU) carried the ball 19 times and recorded 121 yards rushing with two touchdowns in the Rattlers 42-6 victory over Bethune-Cookman in the annual Florida Classic.
Tory Williams (NSU) forced a WSSU fumble in the fourth quarter to preserve the Spartans lead in a 21-28 victory.
OVC Football Players of the Week - Nov. 22
OFFENSIVE
Ryan Perrilloux, QB • Sr., 6-3, 223 • LaPlace, La. • Jacksonville State
Perrilloux accounted for 307 yards of total offense and two touchdowns as Jacksonville State finished the season with the OVC’s best record with a 34-26 victory over Eastern Kentucky. It marks the second week in a row and seventh time this season that Perrilloux has been named OVC Offensive Player of the Week, which is an OVC-record. It also marks the ninth time in his career he has won the award, which is tied for the most all-time with EIU’s Tony Romo (2000-02) and EKU’s Markus Thomas (1989-92). Against EKU Perrilloux ran for a career-high 115 yards (on only nine carries - a 12.8 yard/carry average) and completed 13-of-24 passes for 191 yards. He tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, which proved to be the game-winner and also set the Jax State single-season touchdown mark (23). His 20-yard touchdown run in the first quarter accounted for the first points of the contest for the Gamecocks. Perrilloux ranks first nationally in passing efficiency (172.58) and fourth nationally in points responsible for (18.6 points/game).
Others Nominated: C.J. Walker, Eastern Kentucky; Miles Edwards, Southeast Missouri; Dontey Gay, Tennessee Tech; Cade Thompson, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE
Alexander Henderson, LB • Sr., 6-1, 212 • Mobile, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Henderson was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week for the third week in a row after registering 14 tackles (10 solo) and recovering a school-record three fumbles in Jacksonville State’s 34-26 victory over Eastern Kentucky. It marked the seventh consecutive game with double-digit tackles for Henderson who ranks first in the OVC and 15th nationally in tackles (10.45/game). Henderson also added a sack and two tackles-for-loss in the game. He now ranks first nationally in fumble recoveries (0.45/game).
Others Nominated: Trevor Frericks, Eastern Illinois; William Castro, Southeast Missouri; Josh Bey, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Terrence Holt, KR/RB • Jr., 5-8, 180 • Nashville, Tenn. • Austin Peay
Holt won the award for the third straight week after racking up 312 all-purpose yards, including 243 yards on kickoffs returns, in Austin Peay’s game at UT Martin on Saturday. Despite UT Martin using a variety of kickers and kickoffs to keep the ball out of his hands, the junior still returned seven kickoffs for 243 yards (34.7 yards/return), including ones of 59 and 57 yards. The 243 kickoff return yards in a game was the second most in OVC history, trailing only a 250-yard outing Holt had at North Dakota State in 2008. Holt finished the season with 1,194 kickoff return yards and now has the top three single-season kickoff return yard totals in OVC history (1,285, 1,194 and 1,104). Holt finished the regular season as the FCS national leader in all-purpose yards, averaging 215.73 yards/game.
Others Nominated: Patrick Tatum, Jacksonville State; Demetrous Garrett, Tennessee Tech; Tom Hansen, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
T.J. Pryor, QB • R-Fr., 6-2, 181 • Louisville, Ky. • Eastern Kentucky
Pryor completed 18-of-30 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions as Eastern Kentucky lost 34-26 at No. 15 Jacksonville State on Saturday. Pryor threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Garnett Phelps and a 13-yarder to Shannon Davis in the second quarter to put EKU up 17-14. It marks the third time this season Pryor has been named OVC Newcomer of the Week.
Others Nominated: Patrick Tatum, Jacksonville State; Demetrous Garrett, Tennessee Tech.
Patriot League Announces Football Players of the Week
Upset Winners Bucknell, Lehigh Both have Student-Athletes Honored
Center Valley, Pa. - After knocking off ranked opponents on Saturday, Bucknell and Lehigh each had student-athletes honored with the final Patriot League Football weekly awards of the season on Monday. Sophomore C.J. Hopson, senior Jason Davis and freshman Tyler Smith were all rewarded for the Bison, while Lehigh senior Al Pierce claimed the Mountain Hawks' honor.
Hopson earns the Offensive Player of the Week award after running 29 times for a career-high 189 yards and a touchdown in Bucknell's 23-17 triumph over No. 13 Holy Cross, the Patriot League champion. Davis returned three kickoffs for an average of 27.3 yards in the game to receive the Special Teams Player of the Week honor. Smith scored a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:40 left, to receive the Rookie of the Week award. Pierce claims the Defensive Player of the Week honor after recording the game-clinching interception and a team-high 12 tackles in Lehigh's 27-21 overtime win over No. 21/22 Lafayette.
Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week
C.J. Hopson, Bucknell So., QB, 6'0, 182, Lusby, Md./Patuxent Hopson led the Bison to an upset of No. 13-ranked and Patriot League champion Holy Cross, as he carried 29 times for a career-high 189 yards and a touchdown in a 23-17 triumph. With the score tied at 17-17 late in the fourth quarter, he notched a 40-yard run to set up Bucknell's winning touchdown. It was the 23rd-best single-game rushing performance in Bucknell history. Hopson recorded his second-straight 100-yard rushing game, and his fourth this season. He had the bulk of Bucknell's 321 rushing yards. He finishes the season with a team-high 633 rushing yards out of the quarterback position, and rushed for a touchdown for the second straight game. Hopson becomes the fifth quarterback to earn the Offensive Player of the Week award this year, and the only player from Bucknell to claim the honor.
Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week
Al Pierce, Lehigh Sr., LB, 6'1, 220, Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown Pierce sealed Lehigh's thrilling overtime win over rival No. 21/22 Lafayette, as his interception on the first play of the Leopards' overtime possession ended the game with a 27-21 Mountain Hawk victory. Pierce also led the Lehigh defense with 12 tackles in the game, notching one tackle for a loss. He finishes the season with 35 total tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks and one interception.
Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week
Jason Davis, Bucknell Sr., CB/RS, 5'8, 185, Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods Davis aided Bucknell's 23-17 upset win over Holy Cross by returning three kickoffs for 83 yards (27.3 avg.) and also bringing back two punts for 11 yards. He had a career-best 37-yard return in the second half. He returned the total of five kicks after not serving in that role all season. Davis also chipped in with six tackles and three pass breakups on defense.
Patriot League Rookie of the Week
Tyler Smith, Bucknell Fr., RB, 5'9, 185, Hatfield, Pa./North Penn Smith scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:40 remaining, in Bucknell's 23-17 victory over No. 13 Holy Cross on Saturday. He posted career highs with 12 rushes, 58 yards and the two touchdowns. The winning touchdown was a nine-yard rush with the score tied at 17, while he also scored the first touchdown of the day to give the Bison a 7-0 lead.
Honorable Mention Performances Last Week
John Skelton, Fordham Sr., QB, 6'5, 258, El Paso, Texas/Burges Skelton concluded a spectacular career by completing 23-of-32 passes for 405 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception in Fordham's 41-14 rout of Georgetown.
JB Clark, Lehigh Jr., QB, 6'4, 215, Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter Clark completed 22-of-38 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns without an interception to lead Lehigh past rival Lafayette, 27-21, in overtime and earn game MVP honors for the second straight season.
IVY LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Harvard junior quarterback COLLIER WINTERS (Claremore, Okla.) threw two touchdown passes in the waning moments of the fourth quarter to lead the Crimson to a 14-10 victory at Yale in the 126th playing of The Game. Winters hit senior wide receiver Matt Luft on a 41-yard scoring strike with 6:46 remaining to bring Harvard within three points. Then he connected with junior wide receiver Chris Lorditch for 32 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 1:32 left in the game. For the day, Winters completed 10 of 26 passes for 211 yards and the two touchdowns while also running 11 times for 51 yards.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Princeton junior linebacker STEVEN CODY (Midlothian, Va..) recorded his sixth double-digit tackling effort on the season with 10 tackles, seven of which were solo, in the Tigers’ 23-11 victory at Dartmouth. Cody was once again all over the field for Princeton with 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups, leading a Tiger defene that held the Big Green to just 32 rushing yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Princeton senior placekicker BEN BOLOGNA (Metairie, La.) ended his Tiger career with his finest effort, making three of four field goals including a career-long 42-yarder and two point-after-touchdowns, in a 23-11 win at Dartmouth. Bologna connected on a short 19-yard field goal in the first quarter before scoring the only points of the second quarter hitting from 42 yards out. He capped off the Princeton scoring with a 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Columbia freshman quarterback SEAN BRACKETT (Brooklyn, Conn.) rushed for a school season-high 171 yards on 20 carries in the Lions’ 28-14 win over Brown. Brackett also threw for 151 yards going 10-of-19 with one touchdown. His rushing total was the most of any Lion in 27 games, dating back to the 2007 season. Brackett's efforts led to Columbia’s dominating the time of possession (36:06 to 23:54) and accounted for the majority of its season-high 447 yards of total offense.
THE HONOR ROLL
John Gallagher, TE, Dartmouth - 6 rec. for 92 yds.
Keiffer Garton, QB, Penn - 81 pass yds., 76 rush yds., 3 TDs
Kenny Gunter, RB, Princeton - 26 car. for 173 yds., 2 TDs
Dan Kopolovich, DB, Princeton - 8 tkls. (6 solo), 2 PBUs
Chris Lorditch, WR, Harvard - 5 rec. for 104 yds., 1 TD
Adam Mehrer, DB, Columbia - 6 tkls. (3 solo), 2 INTs
Erik Rask, LB, Penn - 5 tkls. (4 solo), 1.0 TFL, 1 blocked punt
Jon Takamura, LB, Harvard - 9 tkls. (5 solo), 1 INT
Garrett Waggoner, SS, Dartmouth - 12 tkls. (7 solo)
Garrett Wymore, LB, Dartmouth- 11 tkls. (8 solo), 1 FR
BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Stony Brook sophomore running back Edwin Gowins (Bellport, N.Y.) has been named the Choice Hotels Big South Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Charleston Southern senior defensive back Matt Bach (Jacksonville, Fla.) has been selected as the Defensive Player of the Week for games played during the final weekend of the 2009 season, it was announced today by the Conference office. In addition, Buccaneers’ kicker John Paglia (Ocala, Fla.) is the Special Teams Player of the Week, while Presbyterian College punter Patrick Morgano (Greenville, S.C.) is The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week.
Gowins rushed for a season-high 165 yards and matched his career-high with three touchdowns to help Stony Brook to a share of the Big South title with its 36-33 victory over No. 16 Liberty. On his second carry of the game, Gowins burst through the LU defense for a 52-yard touchdown run to put Stony Brook ahead, 7-0. After Liberty tied the game at 7-7, Gowins ran for a total of 43 yards on SBU’s next drive and scored from 11 yards out to give the Seawolves a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter. After the Flames took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter (26-21), Gowins answered again, this time bowling past the Flames from 42 yards away to regain the advantage for SBU. Gowins averaged 9.2 yards per carry and seven of his rushes resulted in first downs.
Bach had four tackles (three solo) and his first career interception in Charleston Southern’s 30-23 win over Coastal Carolina. His pick came at an opportune time for the Buccaneers, as CSU was ahead seven points with 4:38 remaining, and just turned the ball over to the Chanticleers. On Coastal Carolina’s first play from scrimmage, Bach intercepted Zach MacDowall’s pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown that put CSU up 30-16.
For the second-straight week, Paglia connected on three of his four field goal attempts and finished the day with 12 points in leading Charleston Southern past Coastal Carolina. He made kicks from 25, 44 and 18 yards, as well as all three PAT attempts, to keep the Buccaneers ahead of the Chanticleers. Paglia finished the season with a school-record 16 field goals.
Morgano averaged 39.3 yards on his six punts against Gardner-Webb, pinning a career-high four inside the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ 20-yard line. He boomed one kick 50 yards and another 44 yards, and GWU managed just one yard on two punt returns on the afternoon.
2009 PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE WEEKLY REPORT
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bo Stompro, San Diego
Freshman, Quarterback, San Ramon, Calif.
True freshman Stompro became the second PFL player this season to throw five touchdowns in San Diego’s 37-32 non-conference loss to Southern Utah, Saturday. Making his fourth career appearance, he completed 24-of-38 passes for 247 yards with touchdown throws to five different receivers.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
J.D. Cecil, Morehead State
Junior, Defensive Back, Pickerington, Ohio
Cecil scored Morehead State’s first touchdown in a 29-6 PFL victory at Valparaiso, Saturday. With the Eagles up 9-6, he picked off a pass early in the fourth quarter and returned it 23 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Later in the quar¬ter, Cecil intercepted a second pass and returned it 46 yards to the Valparaiso six-yard line, setting up Morehead State’s second touchdown. He finished the day with two tackles, a quarterback hurry and two interceptions with 69 return yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
David Lang, Butler
Sophomore, Placekicker, Lowell, Ind.
Lang’s 27-yard field goal with one second remaining gave Butler a share of its second PFL regular-season title in a 20-17 victory against Drake, Saturday. It was Lang’s second game-winning field goal this season, both coming in PFL play. Lang also converted a 29-yard field goal in the first half and scored a pair of PATs to finish with eight points.
OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED FOR THIS WEEK’S HONORS
OFFENSE
Zach Watkins (BUT), C.J. Oates (CAM), Steve Valentino (DAY), Josh Philpart (JAC), James LaMacchia (MAR), Zach Lewis (MOR)
DEFENSE
Nick Caldicott (BUT), Brandon Chandler (CAM), James Vercammen (DAY), Jason Wood (JAC), Terrence Turner (MAR), Loka Kanongataa (SAN), Adam Rundh (VAL)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Nick Glavin (DAY), Scott Horcher (DAY), Donovan Curry (JAC), Jason Myers (MAR), Rainer Duzan (MOR), JT Rogan (SAN)
RICHMOND, Va. (November 23, 2009) -- CAA Football announced its Player of the Week honorees, Monday, Nov. 23. Four individuals earned honors after showcasing superb efforts in contests played in Week 12 of the 2009 season, including Hofstra’s Cory Christopher, James Madison’s Justin Thorpe, Northeastern’s Mat Johnson and Richmond’s Martin Parker.
CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week - Cory Christopher, QB, Hofstra
Christopher earns CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week honors after leading Hofstra to a 52-38 win over Massachusetts to close out the 2009 season. The senior quarterback completed 38-of-50 passes for a career-high 484 yards and three touchdowns. The Miami, Fla., native also rushed nine times for 33 yards and a touchdown. Christopher, who completed passes to nine different receivers on the day, set a career mark with his 38 total completions. The senior finished his Hofstra career with 3,251 yards passing which is eighth-best in Pride history.
CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week - Martin Parker, DL, Richmond
Parker, the CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week, led Richmond to a 13-10 win over William and Mary at home Saturday. The junior defensive lineman finished the game with six tackles and a sack for nine yards. The New Haven, Conn., native was part of a defense which limited the Tribe to 65 yards on the ground and surrendered a field goal to William and Mary on its only trip inside the red-zone. Parker and Spider defense also held William and Mary to a season-low 10 points -- the Tribe’s fewest since garnering three points in a loss at Virginia Tech in 2007.
CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week - Mat Johnson, PK, Northeastern
Johnson, the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week, was responsible for a career-high 15 points in Northeastern’s 33-27 win on the road over Rhode Island Saturday. The senior booted two career-long 42-yard field goals and added makes from 29 and 22 on the day. The Ankeny, Iowa, native, who was also 3-for-3 in PAT’s against the Rams, ended his senior season for the Huskies 6-for-6 in field goal attempts and a perfect 22-for-22 on PAT’s.
CAA Football Rookie of the Week - Justin Thorpe, QB, James Madison
Thorpe earned his third Rookie of the Week honor this season by leading James Madison to a 43-12 win over Towson Saturday, marking the Dukes’ fourth-straight win to end the season. The Richmond, Va., native was 14-of-21 for 259 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers. The redshirt freshman also ran 10 times for 32 yards. Thorpe’s 14 completions mark a season-best, while his 259 passing yards were three shy of his total of 262 yards in JMU’s win at Delaware. The rookie completed passes to six different receivers, including three different receivers who recorded touchdown catches.
MVFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
This week's Players of the Week in the Missouri Valley Football Conference are QB Brandon Summers of Youngstown State, DB E.J. Jones of Illinois State, and PK Zach Kutch of Illinois State - each played a key role in his team's last-second come-from-behind victory on Saturday.
Offense
QB Brandon Summers, Youngstown State, 6-2, 200, Sr., Southfield, Mich. (Southfield/Toledo)
The reigning MVFC Offensive Player of the Week, Summers rallied the Penguins from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to pull out a 39-35 win at North Dakota State. Summers threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, including the game-winning score to Dominique Barnes with 22 seconds remaining. Summers, who was injured last week in the win over Illinois State, did not play the first quarter before coming on in the second period. He was 23-of-34 for 259 yards and three scores. He set the school mark for single-season completions (219) and passing percentage (64.2). In the fourth quarter, Summers completed two passes on fourth downs to keep the comeback bid going. He was 13-of-19 on the final two drives of the game. It was YSU's first fourth-quarter rally for a win since 2007 vs. Southern Utah and largest fourth-quarter rally since beating James Madison in 2006 playoffs.
Defense
DB E.J. Jones, Illinois State, Jr.-1L, 5-11, 190, Edwardsville, Ill. (Grandview Heights HS/Minnesota)
Jones recorded two interceptions, including one late in the fourth quarter, to help secure a 22-20 come-from-behind win for Illinois State over No. 9 Northern Iowa on Senior Day. The Edwardsville, Ill., native picked off UNI quarterback Zach Davis twice, one late in the second quarter and the second with just 2:21 left in the game as UNI was driving in Illinois State territory. Jones also recorded eight tackles on the day, seven of which were solo stops, and recorded a tackle-for-loss. Jones’ two interceptions in the game gave him six for the season, the most by a Redbird player since 1989.
Special Teams
PK Zach Kutch, Illinois State, Sr.-1L, 5-9, 175, Milton, Fla. (Milton HS/Auburn)
Kutch put a cap on a stellar senior season with three field goals in Illinois State’s 22-20 come-from-behind victory over No. 9 Northern Iowa on Senior Day at Hancock Stadium. The Milton, Fla., native connected on a career-long 52-yard boot in the first quarter to give the Redbirds a 3-0 lead and followed that up with a 30-yard make in the second quarter to extend the ISU lead to 13-0. He capped off the day with a 51-yard bomb into the wind late in the quarter, making him the first Redbird kicker in school history to hit two field goals from 50 yards or more in the same game and just the fifth player in league history to accomplish that feat. Overall, Kutch finished the day 3-for-4 in field goal attempts after a 51-yard attempt was blocked in the fourth quarter. With his three field goals, Kutch set a new single-season record at ISU with 22 made on the season topping the previous mark of 19 set in 1995 by Todd Kurz.
KEY PERFORMERS
Offense
QB Paul McIntosh, Southern Illinois
McIntosh accounted for four touchdowns as he led the Salukis to their 10th-straight victory. He rushed for three scored and threw for another. McIntosh completed 12-of-18 passes for a career-high 181 yards and he added 101 yards rushing on 13 carries. His 100-yard game was just the 11th by a quarterback in school history… His longest completion on the day was a 49-yarder to Matt Guinn and his longest rush was his 15-yard touchdown that was the first score in Saturday’s game.
QB Zach Davis, UNI
Davis, who entered the game in the second quarter following an injury to starter Pat Grace, passed for 189 yards and two scores in the final five-plus minutes of the game. Davis rallied the Panthers from a 16-3 deficit and appeared to have put the Panthers in the winning column with TD passes of 19 yards to Jarred Herring (5:12 left) and 36 yards to Schuylar Oordt (0:44 left). Davis also rushed seven times for 34 yards against the Redbirds.
RB Kyle Minett, South Dakota State
Minett recorded 22 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns in South Dakota State's 27-7 victory at Western Illinois on Nov. 21. He scored on a 39-yard touchdown run on the second offensive play of the game and added a 1-yard TD run in the second quarter. Minett posted his sixth 100-yard game of the season and 13th of his career in the victory.
RB Pat Paschall, North Dakota State
Paschall rushed 27 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns in North Dakota State's 39-35 loss to Youngstown State on Saturday. He finished the season with 1,397 yards and 16 TDs on 207 rushes for an average of 6.75 yards per carry. It was the 10th 100-yard rushing effort for Paschall in 10 games this season and 14 games in his career. Paschall moved up three spots on the NDSU all-time charts into 8th position and finished his career with 2,528 yards on 399 carries and 23 touchdowns in 29 career games. Paschall passed Doug Lloyd (2,410 yards, 1985-88), Kevin Feeney (2,473 yards, 1995-98) and former teammate Tyler Roehl (2,512 yards, 2004-08) against Youngstown State.
WR Eyad Salem, Illinois State
Salem hauled in the game winning-touchdown with 0.6 seconds left on the clock as Illinois State came from behind on the final drive of the game to defeat No. 9 Northern Iowa 22-20 on Senior Day at Hancock Stadium. The Elgin, Ill., native caught the eight-yard strike from freshman quarterback Matt Lancaster on the final play of his record-setting career at Illinois State. Salem finished the game with nine catches for 74 yards to lead all receivers. With those nine receptions, Salem set a new school and MVFC single-season record with 92, breaking the previous mark of 86 set in 2005 by Laurent Robinson, and finished his career with 186 catches in just three seasons which ranks second all-time at ISU behind Robinson’s 192.
Defense
DE Danny Batten, South Dakota State
Batten recorded a career-high three sacks among his seven tackles in South Dakota State's 27-7 victory at Western Illinois on Nov. 21. SDSU held Western Illinois to 77 net yards rushing and held the Fighting Leathernecks to 3-of-14 on third down attempts.
DB Quentin Scott, UNI
Scott led a strong defensive charge in the second half with a blocked punt, interception and three tackles against Illinois State. Scott blocked a Kevin Mazur punt with the Panthers trailing 16-3 in the third quarter. The blocked punt resulted in a field goal for the Panthers. Scott intercepted a fourth quarter pass by Illinois State's Matt Lancaster to set up another Panther short field at the Illinois State 34-yard line.
ILB Brandin Jordan, Southern Illinois
Jordan recorded his third game of the season with 10 or more tackles, as he finished with a game-high 11 tackles in SIU’s win at Southeast Missouri State. Jordan had one huge sack for a loss of nine yards. Nine of his 11 tackles in the game were solo. Jordan surpassed Bart Scott for sixth place on SIU’s career tackles record list. Jordan now has 354 career tackles, 11 sacks and 35.5 career tackles for a loss.
Special Teams
PK Billy Hallgren, UNI
Hallgren knocked in field goals from 25 and 39 yards and also tacked on a pair of extra points in a 22-20 loss at Illinois State. Hallgren capped his regular season going 43-of-43 on extra points. He also has made nine of his last 10 field goals.
CB Lenny Wicks, Youngstown State
Wicks returned a blocked punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the Penguins' 39-35 come-from-behind win over North Dakota State. With the contest tied 14-all in the second quarter, Torrance Nicholson blocked a field-goal attempt and Wicks scooped it up to race 79 yards for the touchdown. He also had two kickoff returns for 43 yards and was credited with six total tackles, including four solos to go along with a pass breakup
RS Richard White, Southern Illinois
White returned his only kickoff 59 yards, setting up the Salukis at the Redhawk 25-yard line. It was the longest kickoff return of White’s career.
Big Sky honors Nichols, Herrick Webb, Mariani
OGDEN, UTAH (Nov. 24, 2009) - The Big Sky Conference has selected its final football Players of the Week for the 2009 season. Northern Arizona quarterback Michael Herrick and Eastern Washington quarterback Matt Nichols are the Co-Offensive Players of the Week. Weber State linebacker Nick Webb is the Defensive Player of the Week. Montana punt returner Marc Mariani is the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Herrick, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior from Valencia, Calif., tied a Big Sky single-game record with 47 completions in 65 attempts for 574 yards with four touchdowns in Northern Arizona’s 49-45 loss to Eastern Washington. Herrick’s 574 yards set the Lumberjack single-game record and was the fourth-most in league single-game history. It’s the highest total by an FCS quarterback this season, and the 11-best total in single-game history. Herrick helped Northern Arizona recover from a 42-27 fourth-quarter deficit to take a 45-42 lead. This is Herrick’s second Player of the Week honor this season.
Nichols, a 6-foot 3, 220-pound senior from Cottonwood, Calif., closed out his regular season with another stellar effort, completing 22-of-33 passes for 408 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the Eagles’ 49-45 win over Northern Arizona. Nichols, a leading candidate for the Walter Payton Award, threw a 60-yard touchdown to Ed Berry for the game-winning score with 3:30 to play. The win moved Eastern Washington to 8-3 and helped the Eagles’ secure an at-large bid in the Division I Playoffs. In his last five games, Nichols has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,840 yards with 20 touchdowns, no interceptions and an efficiency rating of 183.0. This is Nichols’ third Player of the Week Honor this season and the seventh of his career.
Webb, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore from Salt Lake City, Utah, recorded nine tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in Weber State’s 47-14 must-win over Cal Poly. The victory moved Weber State to 7-4 and helped the Wildcats secure an at-large bid in the playoffs. Webb finished with seven solo tackles and two assisted tackles. He had one tackle for loss. Weber State held Cal Poly, which scored 48 points and rolled up 533 yards of total offense, to just 14 points and 314 yards of total offense. This is Webb’s first Player of the Week Honor.
Mariani, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior from Havre, Mont., returned three punts for 120 yards and also caught two touchdowns, to help No. 3 Montana to a 33-19 win over No. 23 Montana State. The victory helped the Grizzlies secure the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, and finish off an 11-0 regular season. Mariani’s long punt return was a 53-yarder. He helped set up one touchdown with a long return. He caught six passes for 63 yards, including TD catches of 9 and 6 yards. This is Mariani’s second honor this season and the fifth of his career.
Others Nomianted for Weekly Honors
Offense
Andrew Selle, QB, Montana
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB, Sacramento State
Cameron Higgins, QB, Weber State
Defense
Paul Ena, LB, Eastern Washington
Shann Schillinger, S, Montana
Dane Fletcher, DE, Montana State
Peter Buck, LB, Sacramento State
Special Teams
Kevin Miller, K, Eastern Washington
Jon Hendershott, Ret., Sacramento State
Matt Meyers, K, Northern Arizona
Mike Snoy, K, Weber State
SoCon Announces Final Football Players of the Week
Sorrells, Wade, Johnson and Hooper Earn Weekly Honors
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its football players of the week today for the games played on Saturday, Nov. 21. Furman quarterback Jordan Sorrells was named Offensive Player of the Week while teammate Nathan Wade, a free safety, was chosen as the Defensive Player of the Week. Western Carolina running back Michael Johnson was tabbed as the Freshman of the Week, and Samford’s Bob Hooper was honored as Special Teams Player of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the conference office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jordan Sorrells, Furman, Sr., QB
Playing in his final collegiate game, Sorrells completed 25-of-36 passes for 272 yards and career-high five touchdowns in leading Furman to a 58-21 victory over Wofford, thereby securing a third place SoCon league finish for the Paladins. The senior’s touchdown passes, which covered 3, 13, 6, 6, and 29 yards, were the most by a Paladin QB since 1991 and gave him 42 for his career, tying him with Ingle Martin for the most TD passes in Furman history.
Other Nominees: Devon Moore (Appalachian State), Terrell Hudgins (Elon), Michael Johnson (Western Carolina), Chris Evans (Samford), Lee Chapple (Georgia Southern) and Shaun Kermah (Chattanooga).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nathan Wade, Furman, R-Fr., FS
Wade keyed a strong Furman defensive effort, racking up a career-high 16 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and an interception in Furman's 58-21 win over Wofford, thereby securing a third place SoCon league finish for the Paladins. His interception and 8-yard return set up a touchdown that gave the Paladins a 44-0 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Other Nominees: Lanston Tanyi (Appalachian State), Bryce Smith (Samford), Mitchell Bell (Western Carolina), Brandon Ward (Elon), J.B. Shippy (Georgia Southern) and Steven Smigelsky (Chattanooga).
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Michael Johnson, Western Carolina, Fr., RB
Johnson recorded his second-career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 105 yards and a touchdown in the Catamounts’ 19-14 loss to No. 6 Appalachian State. Each of Johnson’s 100-yard games this season have come against the No. 6-ranked team in the country, on Nov. 7 against Elon and again Saturday versus ASU. Johnson also added a reception on the afternoon.
Other Nominees: Nathan Wade (Furman), Dale Riley (Elon), Darius Eubanks (Georgia Southern) and Joshua Williams (Chattanooga).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bob Hooper, Samford, So., P
Hooper punted seven times for an average of 45.3 yards per kick in Saturday’s 27-7 loss to 10th-ranked Elon. Hooper had a long punt on the day of 51 yards. The sophomore, who ranks 12th nationally with a 41.5-yard average on the season, also placed two punts inside the Elon 20-yard line.
Other Nominees: Mike Hammons (Chattanooga), Charlie Edwards (Georgia Southern) and Blake Cain (Western Carolina).
Great West Players of the Week from Week No. 12
For the second time this season, Southern Utah swept the Great West Player of the Week honors, with Cade Cooper winning the Offensive award, defensive back Colin Pretlow earning the Defensive honor and kicker Ryan Griffith captur¬ing the Special Teams award. The Thunderbirds ended the season on a high note with a 37-32 victory at San Diego, and in the process, won their first road game of the season and won the most games in a season since 2006. Cooper ended his SUU career with 273 yards through the air and three TDs, Pretlow had nine tackles and a key interception and Griffith kicked three FGs in the victory. SUU also won all three weekly honors after its win over UC Davis on Oct. 31.
Offensive
QB Cade Cooper - Southern Utah (6-3, 210, Sr., Lehi, Utah)
Playing in his last game as a Thunderbird, Cade Cooper completed 22-of-31 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns, and he also carried eight times for 48 yards in Southern Utah’s victory at San Diego. He became school’s single-season passing leader with 2,988 yards and finished No. 2 on the SUU single-season total offense list with 3,143 yards (only the second player in SUU history to crack the 3,000 yard mark). Cooper also extended his own single-season touchdown passes record to 31, as well as his single-season completions record to 276. He also set the single-season pass attempts record at SUU with 423. Cooper completed five of his first seven passes as SUU jumped out to a 10-0 lead, then threw just three incomplete passes in the second half (9-of-12 in the second half).
Also Nominated - QB Greg Denham (UC Davis)
Defensive
DB Colin Pretlow - Southern Utah (5-10, 176, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
Defensive back Colin Pretlow led Southern Utah with nine tackles, including a team-high seven solo tackles, but it was his interception in the final minute that sealed the 37-32 win over San Diego. Pretlow also forced a fumble early in the second half that led to a touchdown that gave SUU a 27-13 advantage. He leads team with four interceptions, the most by a Thunderbird since the 1999 season and he also leads team with three fumbles forced.
Also Nominated - Curtis Dublanko (UC Davis)
Special Teams
K Ryan Griffith - Southern Utah (6-0, 185, Sr., Hemet, Calif.)
Wide receiver turned kicker Ryan Griffith hit three of four field goal attempts and all four of his extra points in SUU’s 37-32 victory over San Diego. He hit field goals of 41, 34 and 27 yards, and his only missed field goal came from 50-yards out, which would have been a career-long. The three field goals in a game tied the mark for second-most in a contest at SUU, behind only his own record of five, set earlier this year against Dixie State. Along the way he set the SUU single-season record for field goals and tied the extra points record. He finished with 15 field goals, bettering the old SUU record by two, and 43 PATs, tying Dave Pretzer’s mark set in 2000 (Pretzer (2001) and Herkey Marxen (1989) co-held the old field goal record).
Also Nominated - P/K Colton Schmidt (UC Davis)
Southland Conference Announces Football Players of the Week
Central Arkansas’ Grimes, Nicholls’ Felder and Stephen F. Austin’s Nelson recognized
FRISCO, Texas – Central Arkansas running back Brent Grimes, who recorded career highs with 39 carries and 181 yards in a loss at McNeese State last Saturday, was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. The conference also recognized Nicholls defensive back Bobby Felder as the defensive player of the week and Stephen F. Austin punter Drew Nelson as the special teams player of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Brent Grimes, Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas running back Brent Grimes had career highs in carries (39) and yards (181) in a losing effort against No. 10 McNeese State, 21-17. The senior from Baton Rouge, La. (Redemptorist), extended his Central Arkansas career scoring record with touchdown runs of 3 and 1 yards. Grimes surpassed the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career and now has a conference-leading 1,085 yards this season. He also caught three passes for 24 yards. This is Grimes’ first player of the week award this season.
Honorable Mention: Da’Marcus Griggs, Texas State; Marlin Meeks, Nicholls; Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin.
Defensive Player of the Week: Bobby Felder, Nicholls
Nicholls defensive back Bobby Felder recorded two interceptions against Southeastern Louisiana and returned one of them 63 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the first quarter. The Colonels led the rest of the way and took the victory 45-30. The sophomore from McComb, Miss. (McComb), totaled 107 yards on interception returns. Felder had five solo tackles in the Thursday night game on the Southland Conference Television Network. Felder has three career interceptions, all of which have come against Southeastern Louisiana. This is Felder’s first player of the week award this season.
Honorable Mention: Devin Ducote, Stephen F. Austin; Matt Kreamer, McNeese State; Joplo Bartu, Texas State.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Drew Nelson, Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin Punter Drew Nelson averaged 47 yards on four punts in the Lumberjacks 19-10 win over Northwestern State. The sophomore from Livingston, Texas (Livingston), pinned the Demons inside the 20-yard line one time and totaled 188 yards on his four punts.
Honorable Mention: Ben Follis, Texas State; Jonathan Beard, Central Arkansas.
MEAC ANNOUNCES WEEKLY FOOTBALL HONORS
SCSU’s Ford and NSU’s Whitehead Earn Top Weekly Honors
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., November 23, 2009 – South Carolina State’s Will Ford was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. Terrell Whitehead of Norfolk State was named the Defensive Player of the Week.
Martin Ukpai of Florida A&M earned Rookie of the Week honors while Mike Maloney of Delaware State earned Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades. Willie Carter of South Carolina State was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively.
Ford (RB, 5-11, 200, Sr., Travelers Rest, SC) became the MEAC’s all-time rushing leader after recording 156 yards on 23 carries with one touchdown in the Bulldogs regular season finale against North Carolina A&T. Ford, who currently has 4,650 career rushing yards, surpasses the mark of Hampton’s Alonzo Coleman (4,648) set in 2006.
Whitehead (DB, 6-2, 200, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va.) intercepted a pass in the first quarter and returned it 58-yards for a touchdown. He also forced and recovered a fumble in the second quarter and tallied four tackles, one solo, in the Spartans 21-16 win over Winston-Salem State.
Ukpai (QB, 6-3, 170, r-Fr., Plantation, Fla.) rushed 66 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown in the Rattlers 42-6 victory over Bethune-Cookman. He also completed 8-of-11 passes for 151 yards and a passing TD in his first collegiate start.
Maloney (RT, 6-6, 325, Sr., Chicago, Ill.) graded out at 95-percent of his assignment as the Hornets offense accounted for 410 yards of total offense, including 315 yards passing, in a 30-20 victory over Howard. Maloney added a season-high 11 pancake blocks in the win.
Carter (WR, 6-3, 190, Denmark, SC) returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, the first of his career, in Howard’s 30-20 loss to Delaware State. He concluded the game with 120 kick return yards on three attempts.
Other Top Performances
DeAngelo Branche (NSU) rushed 24 times for 118 yards with two touchdowns in the Spartans 21-16 victory over Winston-Salem State. He also caught two passes for 62 yards.
Will Croner (HOW) recorded nine tackles, two solo, with one for a loss of four yards and one force fumble in Howard’s loss the Delaware State.
Johnny Culbreath (SCSU) led the Bulldogs blocking that accounted for 458 yards of total offense and yielded no sacks. He graded out at 84-percent on his assignments.
David Erby (SCSU) collected seven tackles, six solo, with one for an eight-yard loss in the Bulldogs win over the N.C. A&T Aggies.
Riley Flickinger (DSU) converted three field goals, including kicks of 35, 20, and 29 yards, to tie a career-best for made field goals in the Hornets victory over the Bison.
Alvis Graham (FAMU) registered seven tackles, five solo, with one for a loss of one yard against the Wildcats.
Jaashawn Jones (DSU) rushed 31 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Hornets 30-20 victory over Howard.
Markeece Preseton (NSU) recorded a season-high five pancakes and graded out at 87-percent of his assignments as the Spartans posted 388 yards of total offense against WSSU.
Philip Sylvester (FAMU) carried the ball 19 times and recorded 121 yards rushing with two touchdowns in the Rattlers 42-6 victory over Bethune-Cookman in the annual Florida Classic.
Tory Williams (NSU) forced a WSSU fumble in the fourth quarter to preserve the Spartans lead in a 21-28 victory.
OVC Football Players of the Week - Nov. 22
OFFENSIVE
Ryan Perrilloux, QB • Sr., 6-3, 223 • LaPlace, La. • Jacksonville State
Perrilloux accounted for 307 yards of total offense and two touchdowns as Jacksonville State finished the season with the OVC’s best record with a 34-26 victory over Eastern Kentucky. It marks the second week in a row and seventh time this season that Perrilloux has been named OVC Offensive Player of the Week, which is an OVC-record. It also marks the ninth time in his career he has won the award, which is tied for the most all-time with EIU’s Tony Romo (2000-02) and EKU’s Markus Thomas (1989-92). Against EKU Perrilloux ran for a career-high 115 yards (on only nine carries - a 12.8 yard/carry average) and completed 13-of-24 passes for 191 yards. He tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, which proved to be the game-winner and also set the Jax State single-season touchdown mark (23). His 20-yard touchdown run in the first quarter accounted for the first points of the contest for the Gamecocks. Perrilloux ranks first nationally in passing efficiency (172.58) and fourth nationally in points responsible for (18.6 points/game).
Others Nominated: C.J. Walker, Eastern Kentucky; Miles Edwards, Southeast Missouri; Dontey Gay, Tennessee Tech; Cade Thompson, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE
Alexander Henderson, LB • Sr., 6-1, 212 • Mobile, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Henderson was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week for the third week in a row after registering 14 tackles (10 solo) and recovering a school-record three fumbles in Jacksonville State’s 34-26 victory over Eastern Kentucky. It marked the seventh consecutive game with double-digit tackles for Henderson who ranks first in the OVC and 15th nationally in tackles (10.45/game). Henderson also added a sack and two tackles-for-loss in the game. He now ranks first nationally in fumble recoveries (0.45/game).
Others Nominated: Trevor Frericks, Eastern Illinois; William Castro, Southeast Missouri; Josh Bey, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Terrence Holt, KR/RB • Jr., 5-8, 180 • Nashville, Tenn. • Austin Peay
Holt won the award for the third straight week after racking up 312 all-purpose yards, including 243 yards on kickoffs returns, in Austin Peay’s game at UT Martin on Saturday. Despite UT Martin using a variety of kickers and kickoffs to keep the ball out of his hands, the junior still returned seven kickoffs for 243 yards (34.7 yards/return), including ones of 59 and 57 yards. The 243 kickoff return yards in a game was the second most in OVC history, trailing only a 250-yard outing Holt had at North Dakota State in 2008. Holt finished the season with 1,194 kickoff return yards and now has the top three single-season kickoff return yard totals in OVC history (1,285, 1,194 and 1,104). Holt finished the regular season as the FCS national leader in all-purpose yards, averaging 215.73 yards/game.
Others Nominated: Patrick Tatum, Jacksonville State; Demetrous Garrett, Tennessee Tech; Tom Hansen, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
T.J. Pryor, QB • R-Fr., 6-2, 181 • Louisville, Ky. • Eastern Kentucky
Pryor completed 18-of-30 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions as Eastern Kentucky lost 34-26 at No. 15 Jacksonville State on Saturday. Pryor threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Garnett Phelps and a 13-yarder to Shannon Davis in the second quarter to put EKU up 17-14. It marks the third time this season Pryor has been named OVC Newcomer of the Week.
Others Nominated: Patrick Tatum, Jacksonville State; Demetrous Garrett, Tennessee Tech.
Patriot League Announces Football Players of the Week
Upset Winners Bucknell, Lehigh Both have Student-Athletes Honored
Center Valley, Pa. - After knocking off ranked opponents on Saturday, Bucknell and Lehigh each had student-athletes honored with the final Patriot League Football weekly awards of the season on Monday. Sophomore C.J. Hopson, senior Jason Davis and freshman Tyler Smith were all rewarded for the Bison, while Lehigh senior Al Pierce claimed the Mountain Hawks' honor.
Hopson earns the Offensive Player of the Week award after running 29 times for a career-high 189 yards and a touchdown in Bucknell's 23-17 triumph over No. 13 Holy Cross, the Patriot League champion. Davis returned three kickoffs for an average of 27.3 yards in the game to receive the Special Teams Player of the Week honor. Smith scored a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:40 left, to receive the Rookie of the Week award. Pierce claims the Defensive Player of the Week honor after recording the game-clinching interception and a team-high 12 tackles in Lehigh's 27-21 overtime win over No. 21/22 Lafayette.
Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week
C.J. Hopson, Bucknell So., QB, 6'0, 182, Lusby, Md./Patuxent Hopson led the Bison to an upset of No. 13-ranked and Patriot League champion Holy Cross, as he carried 29 times for a career-high 189 yards and a touchdown in a 23-17 triumph. With the score tied at 17-17 late in the fourth quarter, he notched a 40-yard run to set up Bucknell's winning touchdown. It was the 23rd-best single-game rushing performance in Bucknell history. Hopson recorded his second-straight 100-yard rushing game, and his fourth this season. He had the bulk of Bucknell's 321 rushing yards. He finishes the season with a team-high 633 rushing yards out of the quarterback position, and rushed for a touchdown for the second straight game. Hopson becomes the fifth quarterback to earn the Offensive Player of the Week award this year, and the only player from Bucknell to claim the honor.
Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week
Al Pierce, Lehigh Sr., LB, 6'1, 220, Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown Pierce sealed Lehigh's thrilling overtime win over rival No. 21/22 Lafayette, as his interception on the first play of the Leopards' overtime possession ended the game with a 27-21 Mountain Hawk victory. Pierce also led the Lehigh defense with 12 tackles in the game, notching one tackle for a loss. He finishes the season with 35 total tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks and one interception.
Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week
Jason Davis, Bucknell Sr., CB/RS, 5'8, 185, Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods Davis aided Bucknell's 23-17 upset win over Holy Cross by returning three kickoffs for 83 yards (27.3 avg.) and also bringing back two punts for 11 yards. He had a career-best 37-yard return in the second half. He returned the total of five kicks after not serving in that role all season. Davis also chipped in with six tackles and three pass breakups on defense.
Patriot League Rookie of the Week
Tyler Smith, Bucknell Fr., RB, 5'9, 185, Hatfield, Pa./North Penn Smith scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:40 remaining, in Bucknell's 23-17 victory over No. 13 Holy Cross on Saturday. He posted career highs with 12 rushes, 58 yards and the two touchdowns. The winning touchdown was a nine-yard rush with the score tied at 17, while he also scored the first touchdown of the day to give the Bison a 7-0 lead.
Honorable Mention Performances Last Week
John Skelton, Fordham Sr., QB, 6'5, 258, El Paso, Texas/Burges Skelton concluded a spectacular career by completing 23-of-32 passes for 405 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception in Fordham's 41-14 rout of Georgetown.
JB Clark, Lehigh Jr., QB, 6'4, 215, Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter Clark completed 22-of-38 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns without an interception to lead Lehigh past rival Lafayette, 27-21, in overtime and earn game MVP honors for the second straight season.
IVY LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Harvard junior quarterback COLLIER WINTERS (Claremore, Okla.) threw two touchdown passes in the waning moments of the fourth quarter to lead the Crimson to a 14-10 victory at Yale in the 126th playing of The Game. Winters hit senior wide receiver Matt Luft on a 41-yard scoring strike with 6:46 remaining to bring Harvard within three points. Then he connected with junior wide receiver Chris Lorditch for 32 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 1:32 left in the game. For the day, Winters completed 10 of 26 passes for 211 yards and the two touchdowns while also running 11 times for 51 yards.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Princeton junior linebacker STEVEN CODY (Midlothian, Va..) recorded his sixth double-digit tackling effort on the season with 10 tackles, seven of which were solo, in the Tigers’ 23-11 victory at Dartmouth. Cody was once again all over the field for Princeton with 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups, leading a Tiger defene that held the Big Green to just 32 rushing yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Princeton senior placekicker BEN BOLOGNA (Metairie, La.) ended his Tiger career with his finest effort, making three of four field goals including a career-long 42-yarder and two point-after-touchdowns, in a 23-11 win at Dartmouth. Bologna connected on a short 19-yard field goal in the first quarter before scoring the only points of the second quarter hitting from 42 yards out. He capped off the Princeton scoring with a 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Columbia freshman quarterback SEAN BRACKETT (Brooklyn, Conn.) rushed for a school season-high 171 yards on 20 carries in the Lions’ 28-14 win over Brown. Brackett also threw for 151 yards going 10-of-19 with one touchdown. His rushing total was the most of any Lion in 27 games, dating back to the 2007 season. Brackett's efforts led to Columbia’s dominating the time of possession (36:06 to 23:54) and accounted for the majority of its season-high 447 yards of total offense.
THE HONOR ROLL
John Gallagher, TE, Dartmouth - 6 rec. for 92 yds.
Keiffer Garton, QB, Penn - 81 pass yds., 76 rush yds., 3 TDs
Kenny Gunter, RB, Princeton - 26 car. for 173 yds., 2 TDs
Dan Kopolovich, DB, Princeton - 8 tkls. (6 solo), 2 PBUs
Chris Lorditch, WR, Harvard - 5 rec. for 104 yds., 1 TD
Adam Mehrer, DB, Columbia - 6 tkls. (3 solo), 2 INTs
Erik Rask, LB, Penn - 5 tkls. (4 solo), 1.0 TFL, 1 blocked punt
Jon Takamura, LB, Harvard - 9 tkls. (5 solo), 1 INT
Garrett Waggoner, SS, Dartmouth - 12 tkls. (7 solo)
Garrett Wymore, LB, Dartmouth- 11 tkls. (8 solo), 1 FR
BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Stony Brook sophomore running back Edwin Gowins (Bellport, N.Y.) has been named the Choice Hotels Big South Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Charleston Southern senior defensive back Matt Bach (Jacksonville, Fla.) has been selected as the Defensive Player of the Week for games played during the final weekend of the 2009 season, it was announced today by the Conference office. In addition, Buccaneers’ kicker John Paglia (Ocala, Fla.) is the Special Teams Player of the Week, while Presbyterian College punter Patrick Morgano (Greenville, S.C.) is The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week.
Gowins rushed for a season-high 165 yards and matched his career-high with three touchdowns to help Stony Brook to a share of the Big South title with its 36-33 victory over No. 16 Liberty. On his second carry of the game, Gowins burst through the LU defense for a 52-yard touchdown run to put Stony Brook ahead, 7-0. After Liberty tied the game at 7-7, Gowins ran for a total of 43 yards on SBU’s next drive and scored from 11 yards out to give the Seawolves a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter. After the Flames took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter (26-21), Gowins answered again, this time bowling past the Flames from 42 yards away to regain the advantage for SBU. Gowins averaged 9.2 yards per carry and seven of his rushes resulted in first downs.
Bach had four tackles (three solo) and his first career interception in Charleston Southern’s 30-23 win over Coastal Carolina. His pick came at an opportune time for the Buccaneers, as CSU was ahead seven points with 4:38 remaining, and just turned the ball over to the Chanticleers. On Coastal Carolina’s first play from scrimmage, Bach intercepted Zach MacDowall’s pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown that put CSU up 30-16.
For the second-straight week, Paglia connected on three of his four field goal attempts and finished the day with 12 points in leading Charleston Southern past Coastal Carolina. He made kicks from 25, 44 and 18 yards, as well as all three PAT attempts, to keep the Buccaneers ahead of the Chanticleers. Paglia finished the season with a school-record 16 field goals.
Morgano averaged 39.3 yards on his six punts against Gardner-Webb, pinning a career-high four inside the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ 20-yard line. He boomed one kick 50 yards and another 44 yards, and GWU managed just one yard on two punt returns on the afternoon.
2009 PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE WEEKLY REPORT
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bo Stompro, San Diego
Freshman, Quarterback, San Ramon, Calif.
True freshman Stompro became the second PFL player this season to throw five touchdowns in San Diego’s 37-32 non-conference loss to Southern Utah, Saturday. Making his fourth career appearance, he completed 24-of-38 passes for 247 yards with touchdown throws to five different receivers.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
J.D. Cecil, Morehead State
Junior, Defensive Back, Pickerington, Ohio
Cecil scored Morehead State’s first touchdown in a 29-6 PFL victory at Valparaiso, Saturday. With the Eagles up 9-6, he picked off a pass early in the fourth quarter and returned it 23 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Later in the quar¬ter, Cecil intercepted a second pass and returned it 46 yards to the Valparaiso six-yard line, setting up Morehead State’s second touchdown. He finished the day with two tackles, a quarterback hurry and two interceptions with 69 return yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
David Lang, Butler
Sophomore, Placekicker, Lowell, Ind.
Lang’s 27-yard field goal with one second remaining gave Butler a share of its second PFL regular-season title in a 20-17 victory against Drake, Saturday. It was Lang’s second game-winning field goal this season, both coming in PFL play. Lang also converted a 29-yard field goal in the first half and scored a pair of PATs to finish with eight points.
OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED FOR THIS WEEK’S HONORS
OFFENSE
Zach Watkins (BUT), C.J. Oates (CAM), Steve Valentino (DAY), Josh Philpart (JAC), James LaMacchia (MAR), Zach Lewis (MOR)
DEFENSE
Nick Caldicott (BUT), Brandon Chandler (CAM), James Vercammen (DAY), Jason Wood (JAC), Terrence Turner (MAR), Loka Kanongataa (SAN), Adam Rundh (VAL)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Nick Glavin (DAY), Scott Horcher (DAY), Donovan Curry (JAC), Jason Myers (MAR), Rainer Duzan (MOR), JT Rogan (SAN)
