The South Atlantic Conference Announces Astroturf SAC Football Players of the Week, Sept. 18 | WATCH
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf SAC Football Players of the Week for games the third week of the season. Mars Hill wide out Keshuan Taylor was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week, while Wingate defensive lineman Auntrell Mack and Tusculum linebacker Matt Simon were named the Co-Defensive Players of the Week. Wingate return man B.J. Muckelvene picked up Special Teams Player of the Week.
Taylor, a senior from Homestead, Fla., accounted for 21 of Mars Hill's points in a 43-28 win over Lenoir-Rhyne on Sept. 16. He got his scoring going with a 70-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter and followed with a 48-yard rushing touchdown score in the third quarter. He closed his game out with a 44-yard pass later in the third quarter to Craig Rucker to fuel the Mars Hill win. Taylor finished the contest with three total catches and 185 yards of total offense. The honor marks his first Offensive Player of the Week selection this season.
Mack, a senior from Irmo, S.C., posted 13 total tackles and two forced fumbles to lead the Bulldogs to a 31-27 win over Carson-Newman on Sept. 16. His 13 tackles marked a career-best as he totaled five solo tackles, while chipping in a tackle for loss. The Bulldog defense allowed just three points after halftime to help Wingate rally for the win. The honor is his first Defensive Player of the Week nod this season.
Simon, a senior from Lithonia, Ga., scored a pair of defensive touchdowns in Tusculum's 30-24 overtime loss at Limestone on Sept. 16. Simon's first score came when he scooped up a fumble with one hand and returned it for a 20-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter with the score tied 17-17, Simon returned an interception for a 29-yard touchdown, his second TD of the game. Simon becomes the first player in program history to return both an interception and a fumble for a touchdown in the same game. He would finish the game with seven tackles. The award is his first Defensive Player of the Week plaudit this season.
Muckelvene, a sophomore from Waxhaw, N.C., posted his second punt return for a score this season as he took an Eagle punt 63 yards to the house. He totaled three returns on the day to finish the contest with 96 yards of return. The award marks his second Special Teams Player of the Week accolade this season.
2017 AstroTurf SAC Football Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 5 - David Salmon, Mars Hill
Sept. 11 - Sam Mobley, Catawba
Sept. 18 - Keshaun Taylor, Mars Hill
Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 5 - Kyle Kitchens, Catawba
Sept. 11 - Robbie Wallace, Wingate
Sept. 18 - Auntrell Mack, Wingate AND Matt Simon, Tusculum
Special Teams Player of the Week
Sept. 5 - B.J. Muckelvene, Wingate
Sept. 11 - Isaac Gallegos, Tusculum AND Chance Walker, Newberry
Sept. 18 - B.J. Muckelvene, Wingate