GSC Football Players of the Week, Sept. 16
GSC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
West Alabama quarterback Kyle Caldwell (JR, 5-7, 165, Dadeville, AL).
Caldwell takes home his first-ever award after leading UWA to a near-upset at Division I-FCS McNeese State, 44-42. The junior completed 13-of-20 passes (65.0 percent) for 300 yards and three touchdowns despite splitting time with fellow signal caller Gary Johnston. The Dadeville, AL native tossed two TDs in the first quarter, firing a 75-yard score on the first play of the game and then tossing a 26-yarder at 7:40. Caldwell also threw a 57 yard TD on the Tigers’ first play in the second half.
GSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
North Alabama defensive lineman Shaquille Smith (JR, 6-2, 265, Jackson, MS).
Smith collects his first career laurel, spearheading the Lions’ defense in a 24-21 near-upset at Division I-FCS Jacksonville State. The junior logged six tackles led by five solo stops and racked up three tackles for a loss of 13 yards and one sack for an eight-yard loss. One of the Jackson, MS native’s tackles for loss came in JSU’s end zone, resulting in a two-point safety just 10 seconds into the second quarter. Smith did not stop there, blocking a Gamecocks’ field goal attempt at 2:45 in the opening frame.
GSC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Florida Tech placekicker/punter Brion Ashley (FR, 6-4, 205, Port Charlotte, FL).
Ashley becomes the first-ever Florida Tech player to garner GSC Football weekly accolades. The freshman scored FIT’s first six points in the Panthers’ 23-19 road setback to Newberry, going 2-for-2 on field goal attempts. The Port Charlotte, FL native lit the scoreboard first when he booted a 35-yard field goal on the team’s opening drive and he gave his squad a 6-3 lead at 8:37 in the second quarter via a 24-yarder. Ashley also handled the punting duties, kicking six punts for 217 yards (36.2 avg.) including a long of 45 yards.