LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Senior Bryce Murphy of Austin College as well as sophomore defensive backs Adam Saunders and Austin Pierece of Trinity University were named Players of the Week for their efforts in week seven of the SCAC football season.
SCAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Games played Saturday, October 18th
BRYCE MURPHY OF AUSTIN COLLEGE, a 5-8, 185-pound senior running back from Crawford, Texas, has been named the SCAC Football Offensive Player-of-the-Week for games played Saturday, October 18th.
Murphy led a potent 'Roos offense to 266 yards on the ground en rout to a 27-20 victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God, Austin College's fourth straight win.
Murphy carried the ball 20 times for 81 yards and added another four yards on a reception. Murphy, who led the SCAC in rushing last season on his way to earning All-SCAC honors, scored on touchdown runs of 10 and four yards in the win over the Lions including a huge touchdown in the fourth quarter.
For the year, Murphy leads the 'Roos and is among the conference leaders with five touchdowns on the ground.
Other outstanding performances in the SCAC:
Sophomore wide receiver Matt Gillen of Southwestern had four receptions for 86 yards to lead the Pirate offense on Saturday evening in a tough 22-19 loss to Trinity. Junior tight end Sam Harford of Trinity led the team with five receptions for 66 yards and the score, which came early in the second quarter, and tied the game 19-19 at the time. Texas Lutheran was idle.
SCAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Games played Saturday, October 18th
ADAM SAUNDERS OF TRINITY UNIVERSITY, a 5-11, 178-pound sophomore defensive back from Pearland, Texas, has been selected the SCAC Football Defensive Player-of-the-Week for games played Saturday, October 18th.
Saunders led Trinity to a dramatic 22-19 non-conference win over Southwestern University on Saturday, snapping the team's three-game losing streak. The win was also the first home victory for the Tigers, aided by a career day for Saunders.
He picked off two passes in the game - the first interceptions of his young career - returning the first 45 yards for a touchdown. The second interception for Saunders was returned 37 yards, setting up the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter. As if that wasn't enough, Saunders also had a two-point conversion return for the Tigers, taking a blocked extra-point attempt back to make it a 13-12 deficit at the time. The two-point return (at 4:50) came shortly after his touchdown return on the interception (at 5:39), accounting for eight Trinity points in a span of less than a minute.
For the season, Saunders has recorded 12 tackles and is now second on the team in interceptions. His 82 yards in returns on Saturday is the most in a Trinity game since 1975.
Junior linebacker Brooks Ward of Austin College keyed a defense that completely shut down the running attack of Southwestern Assemblies of God, making 15 tackles including 10 solo stops and half a tackle for loss from his middle linebacker position as the 'Roos held SAGU to just 39 rushing yards on 26 attempts in the win. Junior defensive end Alex Lee of Southwestern was absolutely outstanding on the defensive side of the ball, picking up 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble in a 22-19 loss to Trinity. Texas Lutheran was idle.
Games played Saturday, October 18th
AUSTIN PIERCE OF TRINITY UNIVERSITY, a 6-2, 182-pound sophomore defensive back from Schertz, Texas, has been selected the SCAC Football Special Teams Player-of-the-Week for games played Saturday, October 18th.
Pierce led the Tigers to a 22-19 victory over Southwestern University on Saturday evening, earning himself the team's nod as Special Teams Captain for the coming week.
Pierce blocked a field goal attempt in the second quarter that kept the game tied 19-19. Earlier in the game, he was in an another blocked kick. Although teammate Bradley Drenon was credited with the block, Pierce also deflected the kick. That blocked PAT was picked up and returned for a two-point conversion for the Tigers. Pierce also tipped the first PAT of the game, though the kick still managed to make it through the uprights.
For the season, Pierce has 10 tackles overall and 1.0 for loss. His blocked field goal was the first time the Tigers had blocked a field goal since the 2007 season.
Other outstanding performances in the SCAC:
Sophomore linebacker Ben Bouchez of Austin College made two tackles on special teams and also recovered a fumbled punt, and on the very next play following his recovery the 'Roos scored to go up 13-0 against Southwestern Assemblies of God. Southwestern did not nominate anyone. Texas Lutheran was idle.
