GSC Announces Football Players of the Week, Sept. 22
Delta State quarterback Tyler Sullivan and Florida Tech linebacker J.J. Sanders have been named the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games played in Week Three of the 2014 season. West Georgia return specialist Denarius Appling was also tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Week and Florida Tech quarterback Mark Cato took home the Freshman of the Week.
Delta State quarterback Tyler Sullivan
Sullivan collects his third career weekly award after guiding No. 14 DSU to a 49-32 upset at No. 13 Valdosta State in the GSC-TV Game of the Week. The sophomore hit for four touchdowns and 528 yards on 74 plays, which ranked him eighth in the GSC record books in total yards and fifth (tied) in total plays. Sullivan completed 41-of-64 passes for a 64.1 completion percentage and threw 502 yards and three touchdowns. The Louisville, Miss. native's passing yards were the seventh-highest in league history and he was just the 10th player to complete at least 41 passes in a game.
Florida Tech linebacker J.J. Sanders
Sanders is FIT's first-ever Defensive winner, spearheading the Panthers' defense in a 37-31 upset over No. 12 Tarleton State in Arlington, Texas. The junior took the field for the first time this season, racking up a GSC season-high 12 total tackles led by seven solo stops. He was also active in TSU's backfield, posting 3.5 tackles for a loss of 19 yards, one sack for 12 yards and two quarterback hurries. The Columbus, OH native helped ice the game when he forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter, allowing the offense to run out the clock and sew up the victory.
Florida Tech quarterback Mark Cato took home the Freshman of the Week.
Cato earns his third consecutive Freshman award, leading the Panthers to a 37-31 upset win over No. 12 Tarleton State in Arlington, Texas. The Alachua, Fla. native completed 24-of-37 passes for a career-high 296 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 44 yards on 13 carries. He provided some late-game heroics when he tossed the go-ahead, seven-yard TD with just 3:56 left to play.
West Georgia return specialist Denarius Appling
Appling records his fifth Special Teams laurel in his career, first since 2012, by sparking the Wolves in their 49-0 home shutout of Johnson C. Smith. The senior combined for 120 yards on four returns, led by a 96-yard touchdown on his lone kickoff attempt. The return was the first kickoff score of his career and first UWG return since 1985. The Griffin, GA native also added three punt returns for 24 yards which placed him in third-place on the GSC's all-time punt return yardage list.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Trevor Sand (Florida Tech, RB); Lamonte Thompson (North Alabama, RB); Kyle Caldwell (West Alabama, QB); Dallas Dickey (West Georgia, QB)
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Wilson Curtis (Delta State, LB); Nick Johnson (North Alabama, LB); Fred Barnes (West Alabama, SS); Tyrell Adams (West Georgia, LB)
Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Taylor Pontius (North Alabama, K/P); Jordan Ikner (West Alabama, P)
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Randy Satterfield (West Alabama, WR)
#GSC#