BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its week five football student-athletes of the week Monday and Alcorn State picked up two honors after defeated reigning SWAC champion Southern University 56-16. Braves Haiden McCraney (Jackson, Miss./Madison-Ridgeland Academy) and Darryan Ragsdale (Brandon, Miss./Hinds CC) were named specialist and newcomer of the week, respectively. Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Benjamin Anderson (Little Rock, Ark./Parkview) earned offensive honors, and Daerius Washington (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Western Kentucky) from Alabama State was named defensive student-athlete of the week.
Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week: Benjamin Anderson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
Anderson passed for over 200 yards for the first time this season as he finished with 256 passing yards, completing 19-of-33, with two touchdowns in overtime game against Jackson State. He also rushed for 135 yards on 25 carries and another touchdown to finish with 391 total yards.
Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week: Daerius Washington (Alabama State)
Washington and the Hornets defense held the high-octane Texas Southern offense to only three points and 221 total yards. He led with a team-high 10 tackles, five solo, had two sacks and two tackles for a loss of seven yards.
Specialist of the Week: Haiden McCraney (Alcorn State)
McCraney went 8-for-8 on PATs in the Braves 56-16 win over Southern. He averaged 48.5 yards per punt and recorded eight kickoffs for 454 yards and two touchbacks. His longest punt was for 56 yards.
Newcomer of the Week: Darryan Ragsdale (Alcorn State)
This is Ragsdale’s second SWAC weekly award this season. He carried the ball 13 times for a career-high 125 yards and one touchdown to help the Braves defeat Southern 56-16. Each of his runs was for positive yardage. His longest on the day was 31 yards and he averaged 9.6 yards per carry.
Courtesy: SWAC.org