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OVC Football Players of the Week – September 3 (PDF)
OFFENSIVE
Roc Thomas, RB • 5-11, 193, Sr. • Oxford, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Thomas accounted for 190 all-purpose yards as No. 5 ranked Jacksonville State began the season with a 27-13 victory over No. 12 Chattanooga in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff Classic in Montgomery, Alabama during Week Zero. Thomas carried the ball 19 times for 122 yards (6.4 ypc) including a 76-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Thomas also caught three passes for 68 yards with a long reception of 48 yards.
Others Nominated: Mitch Kimble, Eastern Illinois; Tim Boyle, Eastern Kentucky; Jordon Gandy, Murray State; Treon Harris, Tennessee State; Andre Sale, Tennessee Tech; Ladarius Galloway, UT Martin.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Jonathan Hagler, LB • 6-0, 210, Sr. • Leeds, Ala. • Jacksonville State
In his first collegiate start, Hagler picked off a pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown as No. 5 Jacksonville State opened a 20-6 lead on its way to a 27-13 victory over No. 12 Chattanooga in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff during Week Zero. Hagler also had four tackles and a pass breakup during the victory.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Chris Collins, LB • 5-11, 230, Sr. • Fairburn, Ga. • Tennessee State
Collins recorded 12 tackles (9 solo), had three tackles-for-loss, a sack and forced a fumble as Tennessee State scored its first-ever victory over a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent in topping Georgia State 17-10. With GSU driving on the opening series of the game, Collins knocked the ball loose two yards behind the scrimmage, allowing TSU to recover the ball on its own 25-yard line. In the third quarter the senior stopped a Georgia State runner at the four-yard line on fourth and goal to give TSU possession of the ball. Overall the Tennessee State defense allowed the FBS opponent just 273 yards of total offensefor the game.
Others Nominated: Malik Boynton, Austin Peay; Tray Mitchell, Eastern Illinois; Luder Jean Louis, Eastern Kentucky; Kenney Wooten, Murray State; Mike Ford, Southeast Missouri; Elliott Normand, Tennessee Tech; Kevin Prather, Jr., UT Martin.
CO-SPECIALIST
Keith Wrzuszczak, P • 5-11, 212, Sr. • Geelong, Victoria, Australia • Eastern Kentucky
Wrzuszczak was able to keep a potent Western Kentucky punt return unit in check on Saturday in Bowling Green. The senior punted four times for a 40.5 yards/punt average, but only one punt was returnable for the WKU unit that ranked No. 2 nationally in punt returns a year ago (17.93 yards/return). Wrzuszczak had a long punt of 46 yards and placed one inside the Hilltoppers 20-yard line.
CO-SPECIALIST
Gabriel Vicente, K • 6-4, 200, Jr. • Miami, Fla. • Murray State
In his first-ever football game at any level (he had previously played soccer), Vicente was a perfect 7-of-7 on extra point attempts and connected from 30 yards on his lone field goal attempt in Murray State’s 67-7 win over Kentucky Wesleyan. Vicente also kicked off four times for a 44.0 average.
Others Nominated: Devin Stuart, Austin Peay; Cade Stinnett, Jacksonville State; Shabari Davis, Southeast Missouri; Nick Madonia, Tennessee Tech.
NEWCOMER
Vincent Sellers, S • 6-1, 180, Fr. • Sarasota, Fla. • Tennessee State
Sellers recorded 10 tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, as Tennessee State opened the season with a 17-10 victory at Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) foe Georgia State. His biggest stop of the night came in the second quarter, as he made a tackle at the two-yard line and followed that with his tackle-for-loss which forced the Panthers to settle for a field goal. In the third quarter the freshman tracked down a GSU receiver on a 59-yard pass play, preventing a score, as Tennessee State’s defense held Georgia State scoreless on that drive.
Others Nominated: Mark Williams, Eastern Illinois; Tim Boyle, Eastern Kentucky; Connor Christian, Jacksonville State; Kenney Wooten, Murray State; Ladarius Galloway, UT Martin.