OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Carson Gresock, RB • 5-11, 215, R-Jr. • Columbus, Ohio • Gardner-Webb
Gresock rushed for four touchdowns, tied for the most by a FCS player this season, and accounted for 164 all-purpose yards, as Gardner-Webb won 48-20 at Lindenwood. The junior carried the ball 21 times for 119 yards, averaging 5.7 yards/carry and had touchdown runs of 3, 20, 2 and 2 yards. He also caught two passes for 33 yards and completed a 12-yard pass. Gresock ranks first nationally in rushing yard per carry (7.59), 12th in rushing touchdowns (9) and 26th in total rushing yards (607).
Others Nominated: Zolten Osborn, Charleston Southern; Q’Daryius Jennings, Tennessee Tech.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Malik McKinzie, DL • 6-2, 235, Sr. • Sumter, S.C. • Charleston Southern
McKinzie set season-highs for tackles (13), tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (1.5) as Charleston Southern came from behind to top Eastern Illinois. Nine of his 13 tackles were solo and he accounted for -11 yards on his TFLs and -8 yards on his sacks, while also forcing a fumble. The senior keyed a defense that limited the Panthers to just 1-of-10 on third down, with him being responsible for five tackles on those plays. Nine of his stops came in the fourth quarter (as the Bucs overcame a 13-point deficit), including one on EIU’s final offensive play, which setup a 35-yard field goal that was blocked to preserve the victory.
Others Nominated: Tylan Foster, Eastern Illinois; Josiah Harris, Gardner-Webb; Aaron Swafford, Tennessee Tech; Kevin Washington Jr., Western Illinois.
CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Charlie Viorel, K • 5-10, 185, Jr. • Wilmington, N.C. • Gardner-Webb
Viorel accounted for 12 points as Gardner-Webb won 48-20 at Lindenwood to improve to 3-1 in Association play. He connected from 40 yards out early in the fourth quarter and added a 30-yarder four minutes later in a stretch that saw the Runnin’ Bulldogs score 13 points in just 3:57 of clock time. The junior was also 6-of-6 on PATs and averaged 60.0 yards on nine kickoffs, five of which went for touchbacks.
CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Justin Keller, K • 6-0, 185, Sr. • Shawnee Mission, Kan. • Southeast Missouri
Keller tallied 11 points and was perfect on kicks, keeping Southeast Missouri in the game with No. 8 ranked Tennessee Tech. The senior connected from 31 yards and 40 yards in the second quarter and added a 36-yarder to open the third quarter. He was also 2-of-2 on PATs and averaged 64.0 yards on five kickoffs, four of which went for touchbacks. It marked the second time this season he has accounted for double digit points in a game; he has now made 25 consecutive PATs.
Others Nominated: Mason Miller, Eastern Illinois; Tre’ Holloway, Tennessee Tech; Luke Drogemueller, Western Illinois.
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Rashawn Cunningham, WR • 6-2, 205, R-Fr. • Inman, S.C. • Charleston Southern
Cunningham hauled in five passes for 77 yards and a fourth quarter touchdown as Charleston Southern came from behind to top Eastern Illinois 17-16 on Homecoming. His five-yard score with 5:49 to play capped an 8-play, 80-yard drive and pulled the Bucs to within six points; the team would score four minutes later to pull out the win. Each of his five catches went for either a first down or touchdown, three coming on third down. Cunningham has now scored a touchdown in three-straight games; his five touchdowns on the season ranks third in the OVC-Big South (and tied for first among freshmen).
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Joe Edwards, LB • 6-2, 215, Fr. • Downers Grove, Ill. • Western Illinois
Edwards only played three snaps but made two key fourth quarter plays as Western Illinois won its first Conference game of the season, 17-16 at Tennessee State. He recorded sacks on the final two plays of the game, preventing the Tigers from scoring to preserve the one-point victory.
Others Nominated: Zack Simmons-Brown, Tennessee State