#UACFOOTBALL -- Week 11 featured some difference-making performances on the gridiron around United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football and the league recognized those outings with weekly awards as announced on Monday. For the second time in the past three weeks, Southern Utah's Joshua Dye and Austin Peay's Chris Parson were named the Offensive Player of the Week. Abilene Christian's Dorian Plumley (Defense), APSU's Carson Smith (Specialist) and North Alabama's Azariah Fletcher (Freshman) were also honored for the first time this season.
Parson, a redshirt-sophomore quarterback, recorded a career-best 374 yards of total offense and was responsible for four touchdowns in the Govs thrilling 41-38 win over UCA. He rushed 19 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns – including a 19-yard game-winning touchdown at the 7:25 mark in the fourth quarter. With his two rushing touchdowns, Parson broke the Austin Peay single-season quarterback rushing touchdown record. He also completed 23-of-32 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns, in earning his league high fourth Player of the Week honor this season
A redshirt-sophomore running back, Dye rushed for 221 yards on 33 carries for an average of 6.7 yards per attempt, and has now tallied over 1500 yards this season. He currently ranks second in the nation and is only 27 yards behind the FCS leader. Dye picked up three more rushing touchdowns against EKU, bringing his season total to a Divison I football leading 22 scores. This week's honor marks Dye's third distinction of the year.
Plumley, a senior defensive back, nabbed a pair of interceptions against Utah Tech, including a 16-yard pick six in the second quarter. He became the first Wildcat to have a multi-INT game in over a year and his two picks were part of a four interception day for the ACU defense. On his Senior Day, Plumley recorded 6 tackles, including 1 TFL, and made his 31 career start for the Wildcats.
A redshirt-senior kicker, Smith went 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on PATs with 11 points scored in Austin Peay’s back-and-forth 41-38 win over Central Arkansas. He connected on field goals of 25 and 37 yards. Smith also kicked off eight times for a 55.5-yard average with four touchbacks.
Fletcher, a redshirt-freshman wideout from Hartselle, Ala., boasted a memorable day against UWG by collecting his first career reception and first career touchdown. Midway through the first quarter, Fletcher caught a pass at the 40-yard line, broke a tackle and raced to the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown reception to give the Lions an early lead. In addition to his highlight scoring effort, Fletcher earned significant snaps for the UNA special teams.
| DATE |
OFFENSIVE |
DEFENSIVE |
SPECIALIST |
FRESHMAN |
| Sept. 1 |
Joshua Dye
(Southern Utah) |
Kasyus Kurns
(Tarleton State) |
Brad Larson
(Tarleton State) |
Tre Page III
(Tarleton State) |
| Sept. 8 |
Luther Richesson
(Central Arkansas) |
Sebastian Adamski
(Southern Utah) |
Simon Zeidan
(West Georgia) |
TJ Lester
(West Georgia) |
| Sept. 15 |
Latrelle Murrell
(West Georgia) |
Yasir Holmes
(Tarleton State) |
Ian Vachon
(North Alabama) |
Ran Sawyer
(Southern Utah) |
| Sept 22 |
Stone Earle
(Abilene Christian) |
Rashon Myles Jr.
(Abilene Christian) |
Corbin Poston
(Tarleton State) |
Asa Chatman
(Utah Tech) |
| Sept. 29 |
Chris Parson
(Austin Peay) |
Kaden Smith
(EKU) |
Tommy Holden
(West Georgia) |
Kamari Maxwell
(Austin Peay) |
| Oct. 6 |
Chris Parson
(Austin Peay) |
Will Middleton
(Austin Peay) |
Caleb Jones
(Central Arkansas) |
Tre Page III
(Tarleton State) |
| Oct. 13 |
Stone Earle (ACU)
Landen Chambers (UCA) |
Cam Junior
(EKU) |
TJ Mitchell
(EKU) |
Isaiah Groves
(Austin Peay) |
| Oct. 20 |
Jayvian Allen
(North Alabama) |
Mason Stromstad
(Southern Utah) |
Courtland Stephens
(Tarleton State) |
Noah Gregg
(North Alabama) |
| Oct. 27 |
Chris Parson (APSU)
Joshua Dye (SUU) |
David Hoage
(West Georgia) |
Tommy Holden
(West Georgia) |
Montreze Smith, Jr.
(Austin Peay) |
| Nov. 3 |
Marcus Calwise Jr.
(EKU) |
Rashon Myles Jr.
(Abilene Christian) |
Danny King
(Southern Utah) |
Asa Chatman
(Utah Tech) |
| Nov. 10 |
Chris Parson (APSU)
Joshua Dye (SUU) |
Dorian Plumley
(Abilene Christian) |
Carson Smith
(Austin Peay) |
Azariah Fletcher
(North Alabama) |
Other Nominees
Offensive:
Landen Chambers (UCA); David Wydner (UWG)
Defensive:
Charles Crews III (APSU); Tango McCauley Jr. (UNA); Henry Harper (SUU); Micah Thurman (UWG)
Specialist:
Adam Watford (UNA); Reilly Mason (UWG)
Freshman:
Montreze Smith Jr. (APSU)