Sophomore running back Will Ford of South Carolina State was selected as the Offensive Player of the Week and Rudy Hardie of Howard earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, the league announced on Monday.
James Lee of South Carolina State was selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Week and Lucas Esquivel of Bethune-Cookman was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Ford (RB, 5-1, 180, So., Travelers Rest, SC) set a school single-game record with 323 rushing yards on 21 attempts and one touchdown in the Bulldogs win over N.C. A&T. His running output was the best individual rushing performance of the season among all NCAA D-I (FCS) competitors.
Hardie (DE, 6-2, 270, Sr., Hartford, CT) collected 14 tackles, eight solo, in the Bison’s regular season finale. He also tallied 2.5 tackles for a loss of 10 yards, one sack for a nine yard loss, and a forced fumble against the Hornets.
Lee (OL/T, 6-6, 300, r-Sr., Belle Glade, Fla.) aided the Bulldogs to 632 yards of total offense, 476 yards rushing. He also posted seven pancake blocks, three domination blocks, and seven cut blocks in the game. He graded out at 84-percent on all assignments in the Bulldogs win. This is Lee’s third conference weekly honor of the season.
Esquivel (K, 5-10, 180, r-Sr., Ocala, Fla.) was 4-of-4 in PAT’s and completed 2-of-3 field goal attempts in the Rattlers 34-7 win over Florida A&M. He connected on field goals of 34 and 30 yards and contributed 10 of the team’s 34 points.
Other Top Performers
Justin Brannon (BCU) rushed for 140 yards on 20 carries with one touchdown in the Wildcats win over Florida A&M.
Marquez Davis (NSU) led the Spartans with 12 tackles, six solo, and a forced fumble against Winston-Salem State.
Jamar Johnson (NSU) caught seven passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans win over the WSSU Rams.
Kareem Jones (DSU) rushed for 53 yards on 13 attempts and one touchdown. He also caught five passes for 68 yards in the Hornets win over Howard.
Ronnie McCullough (BCU) posted 12 tackles, four assists, with three for a loss of 10 yards and one pass break against the Rattlers.
Reubin Mordecai III (BCU) paved the way for 414 yards of total offense including three pancake blocks in the Wildcats win.
Russell Reeves (DSU) forced two fumbles and tallied 10 tackles and two sacks for a 28-yard loss in the Hornets victory.
Nick Richmond (DSU) graded out at 98-percent as he aided the Hornets to 303 yards of total offense.
Jarahn Williams (HOW) caught six passes for 55 yards and one touchdown in the Bison’s final game of the season.
