The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its football players of the week for games played Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5.
Offensive Player of the Week
Casey Therriault – QB, Jackson State (6-3, 205, Jr., Wyoming Park, Mich.)
The W.C. Gorden Classic offensive player of the game, Therriault threw for 404 yards and 3 TDs in his Jackson State debut. The Tigers defeated Delta State, 32-17. He completed passes to 9 different JSU receivers, including a 62-yarder to Anthony Mayes. He also had a long rush of 22 yards.
• Devin Dominguez (QB, ALST) – Threw 261 yards and 3 TDs on 20-29 passing
• Sylvester Nzekwe (RB, SUBR) – MEAC/SWAC MVP, 98 yards rushing, 1 TD
• Raymond Webber (WR, UAPB) – Caught 10 passes for 123 yards
• William Osborne (WR, TXSO) – Caught 7 passes for 73 yards and 1 TD, 132 all-purpose yards
Defensive Player of the Week
Marcus White – LB, Prairie View A&M (6-0, 210, R-Fr., Houston, Texas)
In his first career game for the Panthers, White gave PV the lead for good with a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 16-14 win over rival Texas Southern. He also a game-high 13 total tackles (4 solo) and a pass defended.
• Markkus Davis (DB, MVSU) – Recorded 14 tackles (11 solo), with 2 TFL
• Ryan Rich (LB, JKST) – Recorded a team-high 10 tackles, with 2 TFL
• Jashaad Gaines (DB, TXSO) – Recorded 7 tackles (3 solo), with 2 sacks and a fumble recovery
• Andre’ Coleman (LB, SUBR) – Recorded a team-high 7 tackles (3 solo)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Casey Cushingberry – WR/PR/KR, Southern (5-9, 175, R-Sr., Baton Rouge, La.)
Cushingberry gave the Jaguars the lead for good with a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown with 4:43 remaining in Southern’s 37-27 victory over Delaware State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. He also returned 5 kickoffs for 104 yards, and finished the game with 175 all-purpose yards.
• Pedro Ventura (P, PVAM) – 12 punts for 36.2 yard average, set up safety with pin on 2-yard-line
• Jabril Smtih (PK, JKST) – Made both FG attempts (24,21)
• DeMarcus Washington (PR/DB, TXSO) – 3 punt returns for 52 yards, long of 47
• Andrew Lyons (PK, ALST) – Scored 12 points, 4-4 XP and 2-4 FG (35,35)
Newcomer of the Week
Tim Dandridge – DB, Jackson State (6-1, 195, Jr., Detroit, Mich.)
The W.C. Gorden Classic defensive player of the game, Dandridge twice intercepted Delta State and returned one 30 yards for a touchdown for JSU’s first points of the season. He also recorded 8 tackles (7 solo), including 1.0 tackles-for-loss for 4 yards.
• Andrew Pitts (RB, ALST) – 12 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD
• Joseph Dray (QB, SUBR) – Threw for 162 yards and 1 TD, also scored a rushing TD
• LaGrowne Shields (DL, TXSO) – 2.5 TFL for 6 yards
