OFFENSIVE
Matt Denham, RB • Jr., 5-11, 181 • Rineyville, Ky. • Eastern Kentucky
Denham matched his season-high with 35 rushing attempts as he ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-33 victory over Murray State on Saturday. It marked his second-straight 200-yard rushing game and his third 200-plus yard rushing game in the last four weeks. The 219 yards was the 11th-highest single-game mark in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) this season; Denham has three of the highest 16 rushing games in the FCS in 2011. Denham scored a 34-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the game and added a 46-yard score on EKU's first drive of the third quarter. Denham now ranks ninth nationally in rushing (112.13 yards/game) and reached the 1,000-yard career rushing plateau early in the game.
Others Nominated: Jake Walker, Eastern Illinois; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Mike Harris, Murray State; Matt Scheible, Southeast Missouri; Tre Lamb, Tennessee Tech; Tevin Barksdale, UT Martin.
CO-DEFENSIVE
Qua Huzzie, LB • So., 5-11, 237 • LaGrange, Ga. • Murray State
Huzzie, a transfer from the University of Kentucky, had 13 tackles (8 solo), four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up in Murray State's 34-33 home loss to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Both of the sophomore's forced fumbles came in the first half, the second occurring in the EKU end zone which was recovered by teammate Jeremy Brackett for a touchdown. Huzzie currently ranks sixth in the OVC in tackles/game (8.33).
CO-DEFENSIVE
Corey Watson, DB • Sr., 5-10, 185 • Sevierville, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Watson had eight tackles, a pass break-up and a forced fumble as No. 19 Tennessee Tech went on the road to No. 13 Jacksonville and won 21-14 to move into a three-way tie for first place in the OVC. The forced fumble, the only turnover of the entire game, came with 1:30 to play in the game and Jax State at the Tennessee Tech 30-yard line driving for a potential game-tying score. The Golden Eagles recovered the fumble and were able to run out the clock and defeat the Gamecocks for the second-straight year.
Others Nominated: Gordy Kickels, Eastern Illinois; Ichiro Vance, Eastern Kentucky; Clarence Jackson, Jacksonville State; Blake Peiffer, Southeast Missouri; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.
SPECIALIST
Nick Campbell, P • Sr., 6-2, 225 • Lawrenceburg, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Campbell played a big role in helping the No. 19-ranked Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles top No. 13-ranked Jacksonville State on the road and move into a three-way tie for first place. Campbell punted five times, using high kicks and one kick out-of-bounds, to not allow a single JSU return all day. Four of his five punts were downed inside the Gamecock 20-yard line as Campbell averaged 37.2 yards/punt and had a long punt of 42 yards.
Others Nominated: DJ Bland, Eastern Illinois; Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky; Kienan Cullen, Murray State; Cody Sandlin, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Qua Huzzie, LB • So., 5-11, 237 • LaGrange, Ga. • Murray State
Huzzie, a transfer from the University of Kentucky, had 13 tackles (8 solo), four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up in Murray State's 34-33 home loss to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Both of the sophomore's forced fumbles came in the first half, the second occurring in the EKU end zone which was recovered by teammate Jeremy Brackett for a touchdown. Huzzie currently ranks sixth in the OVC in tackles/game (8.33).
Others Nominated: Pat Wertz, Eastern Illinois; Clarence Jackson, Jacksonville State; Spencer Davis, Southeast Missouri; Adam Urbano, Tennessee Tech; Ben Johnson, UT Martin.