CO-OFFENSIVE
Marquis Ivory, QB • Jr., 6-1, 235 • Warner Robins, Ga. • Jacksonville State
Coty Blanchard, QB/P • Fr., 6-0, 180 • Leesburg, Ala. • Jacksonville State
The quarterback duo of Ivory and Blanchard led Jacksonville State to a 49-48 double-overtime win at Ole Miss, the first win for an OVC team over a SEC school since the OVC was formed in 1948. The starter Ivory was 13-for-23 for 126 and two touchdowns while true freshman Blanchard was 9-for-13 for 126 yards and two touchdowns. The duo led the Gamecocks to five straight touchdowns to end the game, as JSU trailed 31-13 entering the fourth quarter. Jax State outscored the Rebels 21-3 in the final quarter behind the two-quarterback attack. Blanchard had a four-yard touchdown with 6:17 left to cut the lead to 31-26 and Ivory had a 19-yard score to Alan Bonner with 18 seconds left to make the score 34-32. Ivory then completed a 2-point conversion pass to La'Ray Williams to force overtime. Each quarterback scored a touchdown in overtime, as Ivory connected for a 7-yard score in the first overtime, and Blanchard completed a 30-yard pass on 4th and 15 in the second overtime. Blanchard then completed a two-point conversion pass to Calvin Middleton to win the game (and earn No. 2 play of the day honors on SportsCenter. The Gamecocks duo did not throw an interception in the game.
Others Nominated: Terrence Holt, Austin Peay; T.J. Pryor, Eastern Kentucky; Jeff Ehrhardt, Murray State; Henry Harris, Southeast Missouri.
DEFENSIVE
Rodney Garrott, LB • Jr., 6-1, 255 • Huntsville, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Garrott played every snap in Jacksonville State's double overtime victory over Ole Miss. The junior tallied 13 total tackles (8 solo), 2.5 tackles-for-loss and forced a fumble. The forced fumble in the first quarter was recovered by a teammate and returned for a touchdown (the Gamecocks first score). He was part of the defensive unit that held the Rebels to just a field goal in the second half as Jax State rallied from a 21-point deficit to tie the game at 34 at the end of regulation. Ole Miss tallied just 54 yards in the third quarter and 52 yards of offense in the fourth quarter.
Others Nominated: Antonio Faulkner, Austin Peay; Nick Martinez, Eastern Illinois; Justin Woodlief, Southeast Missouri; Rico Council, Tennessee State.
SPECIALIST
Rayshawn Weatherspoon, KR • R-Fr., 6-1, 177 • S. Pittsburgh, Tenn. • Tennessee State
The redshirt freshman returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown to spark Tennessee State in its 27-14 victory over Alabama A&M in the John Merritt Classic. The return put the Tigers up 6-0 just 14 seconds into the game and helped TSU build a 27-0 halftime lead on its way to the victory. The kickoff return was the longest-ever in the 12-year history of the John Merritt Classic. The defensive back also had a tackle and four pass break-ups in the contest.
Others Nominated: Stephen Stansell, Austin Peay; Logan O'Connor, Eastern Kentucky; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Kienan Cullen, Murray State; Drew Geldbach, Southeast Missouri; Joe Hook, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER
Coty Blanchard, QB/P • Fr., 6-0, 180 • Leesburg, Ala. • Jacksonville State
Blanchard was instrumental in leading Jacksonville State to a 49-48 double-overtime victory over Ole Miss on Saturday. Splitting time at quarterback, the true freshman was 9-for-13 for 126 ayards and a pair of touchdowns. Blanchard made back-to-back big plays in the second overtime, completing a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kevyn Cooper in the back of the end zone on 4th and 15 to pull the Gamecocks to within one then completing a two-point conversion pass to win the game; the plays earned him the No. 2 play of the day on SportsCenter. As a punter, Blanchard punted four times for an average of 45.5 yards, including a long of 49 yards and another punt that was downed at the Rebel 3-yard line. The win for JSU was the first for an OVC opponent over a SEC foe since the OVC was formed in 1948.
Others Nominated: Ioshua Siliva, Austin Peay; Arthur Brackett, Murray State; Rayshawn Weatherspoon, Tennessee State.