Birmingham, AL – The Southwestern Athletic Conference has named its players of the week for games ending Saturday, September 12. The honorees are:
OFFENSIVE – WR Thomas Harris, Alabama A&M; 6-0, 174; SR; Alexander City, AL
Harris caught 10 passes for a career-high 224 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 31-24 win over Hampton.
Harris caught a 44-yard scoring pass in the first quarter and a 32-yard scoring pass in the fourth quarter. Harris’ receiving yards total is the third highest in the FCS in 2009 and the most by a SWAC player since Timothy Manning of Jackson State had 233 yards on seven receptions and two touchdowns vs. Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 28, 2002.
DEFENSIVE – DE Christian Anthony, Grambling State; 6-4, 275; JR; Birmingham, AL
Anthony made eight tackles (six solo, including 2.5 TFL), one sack, two quarterback hits, one forced fumble and two interceptions, both resulting in defensive touchdowns in Grambling State’s 38-17 win over Northwestern State.
Anthony made both interceptions on the first two defensive series of the third quarter. Anthony intercepted a pass at the Northwestern State 24, then lateraled the ball to teammate Nigel Copeland, who returned in 24 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 14-all.
On the ensuing possession, Anthony picked off a pass at the NSU 25 but did the scoring honors himself on the 25-yard return that gave the G-Men the lead for good as Grambling State earned its 500th win in program history.
NEWCOMER – QB K.J. Black, Prairie View A&M; 6-4, 225; JR; Louisville, KY
Black came off the bench and led Prairie View to two scoring drives that resulted in touchdowns in the Panthers’ 21-18 loss at New Mexico State.
Black, a transfer from Western Kentucky, completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards with one touchdown, had three carries for 31 yards and one touchdown, and also scored on a two-point conversion run.
In the fourth quarter, Black led the Prairie View A&M comeback scoring on a nine-yard run and later threw a 27-yard scoring pass to Anthony Weeden. Black then scored on the conversion run but the Panthers could get no closer.
SPECIALIST – K Jake King, Alabama State; 5-11, 185; SR; Tyler, TX
King made both PATs and both field goal attempts in Alabama State’s 20-17 win at Savannah State.
King made field goal attempts of 39 yards in the second quarter and 32 yards in the third quarter, as well as PATs after the Hornets’ touchdowns in the second and fourth quarters in the victory.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
QB Chris Mitchell (Alabama State) – Completed 17 of 31 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns and had 29 rushing yards vs. Savannah State
RB Frank Warren (Grambling State) – Rushed 12 times for 156 yards vs. Northwestern State
RB Donald Babers (Prairie View A&M) – Rushed for 118 yards on 18 carries vs. New Mexico State
QB Bryant Lee (Southern) – Completed 16 of 26 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns and rushed nine times for 37 yards and two touchdowns rushing vs. Central State
RB Brian Threat (Southern) – Had career highs in rushes (17) and yards (122) with two touchdowns.
RB Mickey Dean (Univ. Arkansas-Pine Bluff) – rushed 28 times for 122 yards and one touchdown vs. Langston
LB Willie Fuller (Alabama A&M) – Made five tackles (four solo) and 3.5 sacks vs. Hampton
LB Max Senchery (Prairie View A&M) – Led Prairie View A&M with 14 tackles and a half-tackle for loss vs. New Mexico State
LB Dejuan Fulghum (Texas Southern) – led the Tigers with 15 tackles (9 solo) and had one sack vs. Louisiana-Monroe.
DB Kevin Thornton (Univ. Arkansas-Pine Bluff) -Made four tackles and intercepted a school record three interceptions returning two for touchdowns vs. Langston
P Chance Wilson (Alabama A&M) – Punted 4 times for a 38.5 average, two downed inside the 2-yard-line.
RB Brandon Rice (Southern) – Rushed 12 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns vs. Central State.
DB Robert Joseph (Texas Southern) – Registered a game-high 17 tackles (10 solo) vs. Louisiana-Monroe
P Pedro Ventura (Prairie View A&M) – Averaged 43.8 yards on 4 punts with a long of 50 yards.
K Carlos Reyes (Univ. Arkansas-Pine Bluff) – Connected on 3-of-4 field goal attempts (37, 28, 30) and converted 4-of-4 PATs
