Several SWAC teams remain ranked in the NCAA FCS statistics. Two teams are ranked in the top 50 in total offense. Jackson State is ranked 32nd and Prairie View is ranked 25th . In addition, Mississippi Valley State (4), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (7), Jackson State (17) and Alabama A&M (19) are ranked in the top 25 in total defense. UAPB (4), AAMU (15) ASU (T19) and MVSU (21) are also ranked ranked in the top 25 in scoring defense respectively.
— Jackson State wide receiver Rico Richardson reached the 1,000 – yard milestone in the Tigers’ win over Alabama A&M Saturday night. He became the fi fth receiver in JSU history to reach 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Below is the list of JSU receivers to record 1,000 yards receiving in a season. — Four defensive linemen from the SWAC are ranked in the top fi ve in the FCS ranks in tackles for loss.
1. Robert Simpson (MVSU)
2. Brandon Thurmond (UAPB)
3. Jimmy Daniels (ASU)
5. Joseph Lebeau (JSU)
— If Jackson State defeats Alcorn State on Saturday, it will make its fourth trip to the championship championship and fi rst since 2009. JSU was in the fi rst SCG back in 1999. Southern defeated JSU 31-30 in front of over 47,000 fans at Legion Field. There will be tension in the hive as Alabama State fans will be pulling for Alcorn. If the Braves can beat JSU, the Hornets will win the Eastern Division and advance to the SCG.
— Arkansas-Pine Bluff defensive lineman Brandon Thurmond joined the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List on Wednesday. The awrd in its 18th year, honors the outstanding defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision. Thurmond, a 6-2, 260-pound senior, has fl ipped the switch in his fi nal season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, turning into one of the FCS’ most productive and dangerous pass rushers. Just one year ago, he had 25 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and fi ve quarterback hurries. In 10 games this season, he’s improved in every category, with 56 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, and seven quarterback hurries. He also has three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. He leads the nation in total
sacks and sacks per game.
Thanks to the impact of Thurmond, and an improved UAPB defense, the Golden Lions rank fi rst in the SWAC in allowing 16 points per game and second in total defense with 290 yards per contest. UAPB has clinched a berth in the SWAC Championship Game next month.
The Buchanan Award will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season.The Sports Network also presents the Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Payton Award honors the outstanding player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year. All four awards will be presented on Dec. 17 at the FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation in Philadelphia.
SWAC PLAYERS RANKED IN NCAA
RUSHING (TOP 50)
Kaderius Lacey (AAMU) 44th – 89.1 YPG
PASSING YARDS (TOP 50)
Dray Joseph (SU) 27th – 2,227 yards
Deaunte Mason (AAMU) 47th – 1,873 yards
PASSING YARDS/GAME (TOP 50)
Dray Joseph (SU) 31st – 222.7 yards
RECEIVING YARDS (TOP 50)
Rico Richardson (JSU) 9th – 1,032 yards
Ladarius Eckwood (UAPB) 42nd – 711 yards
RECEIVING YARDS/GAME (TOP 50)
Rico Richardson (JSU) 12th – 103.2 YPG
RECEPTIONS/GAME (TOP 50)
Lee Doss (SU) 33rd (T) – 5.80 RPG
Spencer Nelson (PVAM) 30th (T) – 5.78 RPG
INTERCEPTIONS (TOP 20)
Qua Cox (JSU) 18th (T) – 4 INT
PUNTING (TOP 25)
Bobby Wenzig (ALST) 2nd – 45.77 YPP
Carlos Sanchez (MVSU) 22nd – 41.75 YPP
Robert Hersh (TSU) 28th – 41.15
PUNT RETURNS (TOP 30)
Spencer Nelson (PVAM) 3rd – 16.50 YPR
Virgil Williams (SU) 15th – 10.95 YPR
Andre Mitchell (UAPB) 32nd – 7.35 YPR
FORCED FUMBLES (TOP 10)
Damien Lee (UAPB) 3rd (T) – 5 FF – .50 FF/G
SACKS (TOP 10)
Brandon Thurmond (UAPB) 1st – 15.5
SACKS/GAME (TOP 20)
Brandon Thurmond (UAPB) 1st – 1.55 SP/G
SCORING (TOP 50)
Isaiah Crowell (ASU) 34th – 7.8 PPG
TACKLES FOR LOSS (TOP 20)
Robert Simpson (MVSU) 1st – 2.05 P/G
Brandon Thurmond (UAPB) 2nd – 2.0 P/G
Jimmy Daniels (ASU) 3rd – 1.75 P/G
Jackson State (JSU) 5th – 1.70 P/G
– Courtesy: SWAC.org
