OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Markell Holman, RB • 6-1, 205, Jr. • Philadelphia, Pa. • Western Illinois
Holman rushed for 172 yards (71 in the fourth quarter) and a touchdown and added a two-point conversion score as Western Illinois scored 14 points in the final 7:07 of the game to come-from-behind and beat Lindenwood 24-21. On the team’s first drive of the fourth quarter he carried the ball five times for 55 yards and added an 11-yard catch; he capped that drive with a 27-yard touchdown to trim the margin to 21-16. After WIU took the lead later in the quarter, he caught the two-point conversion pass to cap the scoring. Holman averaged 6.9 yards per carry for the game. It marked his third 100-plus yard rushing game of the season, which is tied for the most in the Association; he leads the Association in rushing (808 yards).
Others Nominated: Cole Pennington, Gardner-Webb; Steve Hall, Lindenwood; Jax Leatherwood, Southeast Missouri; Kekoa Visperas, Tennessee Tech; Chris Franklin, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Theron Gaines, LB • 6-1, 237, Sr. • Murfreesboro, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Gaines had 11 tackles (6 solo), 2.0 sacks and scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery as Tennessee Tech won 21-9 at Eastern Illinois to improve to 10-0 for the first time in school history. With the Golden Eagles leading 14-3 with four minutes to play in the game, the senior recovered a fumble and returned it 10 yards to salt away the contest; it marked his second defensive score of the season. The linebacker also added a quarterback hurry. Gaines ranks seventh nationally in fumble recoveries (2) and 12th in tackles for loss (1.35/game).
Others Nominated: Ja’Wuan Nickson, Eastern Illinois; Robert Holtz, Gardner-Webb; Jaymason Willingham, Lindenwood; Jeremy Walton, Southeast Missouri; Tah Mac Bright Banda, UT Martin; Justin Buckner, Western Illinois.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Mark Shenouda, P • 6-2, 199, R-So. • Mt. Juliet, Tenn. • Tennessee State
Shenouda tied the OVC-Big South single-game record (and set a record for Conference games) with an 82-yard punt in Tennessee State’s game at UT Martin. The punt established a new Tennessee State single-game record. The redshirt sophomore averaged 49.0 yards on seven punts, with four punts covering longer than 50 yards. Shenouda had one punt downed inside the 20-yard line and had no touchbacks. He also handled kickoff duties after a safety, sending the ball 66 yards downfield. He is averaging 43.7 yards/punt this season, which is second in the Association and 23rd nationally.
Others Nominated: Mason Miller, Eastern Illinois; Charlie Viorel, Gardner-Webb; Ryan Kingston, Southeast Missouri; Spencer Ashby, Tennessee Tech; Cade Hechter, UT Martin; Luke Droegemueller, Western Illinois.
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Rico Bond, WR • 6-1, 177, R-Fr. • St. Louis, Mo. • Lindenwood
Bond caught seven passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in Lindenwood’s game at Western Illinois. The redshirt freshman led the Lions in receptions on the day and scored on a 13-yard reception in the third quarter, marking his first touchdown grab in three weeks. Bond averaged 9.3 yards per reception.
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Don Paul Keith, DB • 6-1, 180, Fr. • River Rouge, Mich. • Western Illinois
Made the key play in Western Illinois’ 24-21 come-from-behind victory over Lindenwood, recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to the game-winning touchdown. With the Leathernecks trailing 21-16 with less than three minutes to play, Lindenwood muffed WIU’s punt, and Keith recovered it at the Lions’ 37-yard line. Four plays later Western scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. The freshman also added three solo tackles and two pass breakups.
Others Nominated: none