OFFENSIVE
Mike Harris, RB • Sr., 5-11, 200 • Tulsa, Okla. • Murray State
Harris rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns as Murray State went on the road to top Mississippi Valley State 39-0 on Saturday. The effort marked his second 100-plus yard rushing game of the season and sixth in his 11-game career at Murray State. The senior scored on a 15-yard run in the first quarter to put his team up 9-0 and later added a 13-yard score in the third quarter which made the score 32-0. On the day Harris carried the ball 19 times and averaged 5.5 yards/carry. Harris currently ranks 14th nationally with a 110.0 rushing yards/game average.
Others Nominated: Jeremiah Williams, Eastern Kentucky; Tre Lamb, Tennessee Tech.
DEFENSIVE
Ichiro Vance, LB • So., 6-1, 234 • LaGrange, Ky. • Eastern Kentucky
Vance had a career-high 19 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and forced a fumble in Eastern Kentucky's 28-24 home-opening victory over Missouri State on Saturday. The 19 tackles (9 of which were solo) are the second-highest output in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) this season and third-highest output in all of Division I (FBS and FCS combined). In the second quarter the sophomore forced a fumble at mid-field that led to the Colonels second touchdown of the game just four plays later (putting the team up 14-0). Vance currently ranks fifth nationally in tackles/game (13.00).
Others Nominated: Antonio Taylor, Eastern Illinois; Rashad Smith, Jacksonville State; Brandon Wicks, Murray State; Rico Council, Tennessee State; Travis Adkins, Tennessee Tech.
CO-SPECIALIST
Jeremy Caldwell, KR • Sr., 5-10, 180 • Chattanooga, Tenn. • Eastern Kentucky
After Missouri State had cut Eastern Kentucky's advantage from 14-0 to 14-10 in the fourth quarter, Caldwell took the ensuing kickoff and raced 88 yards for a touchdown. It marked Caldwell's third kickoff for a touchdown in his collegiate career. Overall Caldwell averaged 32.0 yards/kickoff on three attempts during the game and had 101 all-purpose yards on the night. On the season he ranks 18th nationally in kickoff returns (29.0 yards/return). The Buck Buchanan Award nominee also had a tackle and recovered a fumble that he returned 23 yards to set up an EKU score.
CO-SPECIALIST
Travis James, KR/WR • Jr., 5-11, 175 • Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. • Tennessee State
James returned four kickoffs for 111 yards (27.75 yards/return) with a long of 66 in Tennessee State's 35-29 loss to Jackson State in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday. James also caught three passes for 116 yards and a touchdown (a 54-yarder in the first quarter) to account for his 227 all-purpose yards on just seven total touches. The 227 all-purpose yards is the fifth-most in a FCS game this season.
Others Nominated: Kienan Cullen, Murray State; Caleb Mitchell, Tennessee Tech.
NEWCOMER
Jeremiah Williams, RB • Jr., 5-11, 199 • Dallas, Texas • Eastern Kentucky
Williams, a transfer from Trinity Valley Community College, ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns as Eastern Kentucky topped Missouri State 28-24 in its home opener on Saturday. Williams had 24 carries and averaged 5.0 yards/carry and also caught a pass for nine yards. The junior scored on a seven-yard run in the second quarter to extend the Colonels' advantage to 14-0 and added his second touchdown on a 12-yard run with 3:55 to play in the game to solidify the victory.
Others Nominated: Jimmy Lera, Eastern Illinois; Washaun Ealey, Jacksonville State; Sam Small, Murray State; Tra'Darius Goff, Tennessee Tech.