BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – All four of the Southwestern Athletic Conference football student-athletes of the week came from the conference matchup of Mississippi Valley State at Alabama State this past Saturday. Kourtney Berry (Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville) and Khalid Thomas (Tallahassee, Fla./Kentucky) of the Hornets were named defensive athlete and specialist of the week, while Mississippi Valley State’s Julian Stafford (Memphis, Tenn.) and Dontrinell Scott (Mound Bayou, Miss.) took home offensive and newcomer honors, respectively.
Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week: Julian Stafford (Mississippi Valley State)
Stafford had a career-high 12 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown. He also added 32 yards on returns for his 254 total all-purpose yards.
Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week: Kourtney Berry (Alabama State)
Berry had seven total stops, three solo, while playing only a little over one half in the win over Mississippi Valley State. He had 1.5 tackles for a loss of seven yards and picked up a fumble off a blocked punt and ran it back 18 yards for a touchdown. Berry now has 32 tackles in the first three games.
Specialist of the Week: Khalid Thomas (Alabama State)
Thomas set career and season-highs in punt return yardage, gaining 132 and averaging 26.4 yards per return. He also had a career-high in rushing with 98 yards on nine carries. Thomas finished the game with 230 all-purpose yards, averaging 16.4 yards every time he touched the ball against Mississippi Valley State.
Newcomer of the Week: Dontrinell Scott (Mississippi Valley State)
Scott completed 12-of-20 for 147 passing yards in the loss to Alabama State.
Courtesy: SWAC.org
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