OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jase Bauer, QB • 6-2, 215, Sr. • Ankeny, Iowa • UT Martin
Bauer accounted for 260 yards of total offense and three touchdowns as UT Martin topped Western Illinois 32-31. The senior completed 19-of-28 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 24 yards and two additional scores. He connected on a 10-yard passing touchdown in the second quarter before tallying a pair of two-yard rushing scores in the fourth, as UTM overcame an 11-point deficit. On the final drive Bauer completed a 34-yard pass and followed that with a 29-yard strike to set up his team on the two-yard line. He currently ranks sixth nationally in completion percentage (70.1%).
Others Nominated: Carson Gresock, Gardner-Webb; Johnny Weber, Southeast Missouri; Kekoa Visperas, Tennessee Tech; Carson Carswell, Western Illinois.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cahari Haynes, LB • 6-3, 217, R-So. • Shelby, N.C. • Gardner-Webb
Haynes made eight tackles (five solo), 2.5 tackles for loss (for -12 yards), 1.5 sacks (for -11 yards) and a quarterback hurry as Gardner-Webb won 21-10 at Eastern Illinois. With the victory the Runnin’ Bulldogs remained undefeated in the OVC-Big South (2-0) and also against FCS opponents (4-0) this season. He helped anchor a stingy defense that limited the Panthers to just 229 yards of total offense.
Others Nominated: Tylan Foster, Eastern Illinois; Steven Lewis, Southeast Missouri; Brendan Hale, Tennessee State; Tim Coutras, Tennessee Tech; Zamaryion Farmer-McCray, UT Martin; Christian Pierce, Western Illinois.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cade Hechter, K • 6-2, 245, R-Sr. • Sydney, Australia • UT Martin
Hechter made a pair of field goals and a pair of extra points as UT Martin topped Western Illinois 32-31 on Homecoming. The senior connected from 28-yards out with 7:43 to play in the first half and added a 41-yarder just before the break to pull the Skyhawks within one point at halftime. Hechter ranks ninth nationally in field goal percentage (87.5%).
Others Nominated: Zach Gordon, Charleston Southern; Mason Miller, Eastern Illinois; Anthony Lowe, Gardner-Webb; Spencer Ashby, Tennessee Tech.
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Johnny Weber, QB • 6-5, 213 R-Fr. • Kenosha, Wis. • Southeast Missouri
Pressed into his first career start after Southeast Missouri lost its top two quarterbacks to injury in its last game, Weber led the Redhawks to a 28-12 home victory over Tennessee State, as the team snapped a three-game losing streak. Weber completed 24-of-39 passes (to eight different receivers) for 283 yards and two touchdowns in the win. He had a nine-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and added a 10-yarder early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Cason Carswell, QB • 6-3, 190, Fr. • Mason, Mich. • Western Illinois
Carswell earned the honor for the second-straight week after passing for 327 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Western Illinois came up just short at UT Martin. In his second career start, the freshman completed 21-of-30 passes without an interception and also had four carries for five yards. At the end of the game, with his team down one point, he drove the Leathernecks 45 yards in seven plays, before the team’s potential game-winning field goal was blocked.
Others Nominated: Anthony Paulk, Charleston Southern; Zamaryion Farmer-McCray, UT Martin.