ATLANTA, Ga. – Taurean Taylor (Tuskegee) was named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Mitchell Smiley (Miles) earned Defensive Player of the Week, released by the league office on Tuesday.
Michael Green (Albany State) was also tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week alongside Andre Auguste (Tuskegee) who earned Newcomer of the Week.
OFFENSIVE – Taurean Taylor, Tuskegee
Running Back | 5’7 | Sophomore | Scottdale, Ga.
Taylor ran for a career-high 160 yards as TU won its conference opener in Frankfurt, Kentucky inside Alumni Stadium, 13-6. On eight attempts, the Tucker, Ga. native averaged 20 yards per carry. His 35-yard touchdown run proved to be the game-winner.
DEFENSIVE – Mitchell Smiley, Miles
Linebacker | 5’11 | Sophomore | Huntsville, Ala.
Smiley led the Golden Bears with a team-high nine tackles, .5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry and one pass break up as Miles defeated Morehouse, 45-21, to win the Prince Hall Americanism Football Classic at Sloan-Alumni Stadium.
SPECIAL TEAMS – Michael Green, Albany State
Wide Receiver | 6’0 | Senior | Albany, Ga.
Green was a key player for the Golden Rams where he finished the contest with 154 yards on six returns. He collected two punt returns for 50 yards and four kickoff returns for 104 yards before coming up short against Mississippi College.
NEWCOMER – Andre Auguste, Tuskegee
Defensive Lineman | Freshman | Miami, Fla.
Auguste played a major role in holding Kentucky State scoreless in the second half finishing with six tackles for 1.5 tackles for a loss. The Miami, Fla. native was a part of a stout defensive line that held KSU to only 270 yards of total offense and 34 yards passing.
Courtesy: SIAC
