The South Atlantic Conference Announces AstroTurf SAC Football Players of the Week, Oct. 6
No. 18 Carson-Newman running back Andy Hibbett was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week, while Newberry linebacker Taylor McDonnell was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Wolves’ returner Kevin Miller picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf SAC Football Players of the Week for games played the fifth week of the season. No. 18 Carson-Newman running back Andy Hibbett was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week, while Newberry linebacker Taylor McDonnell was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Wolves' returner Kevin Miller picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Hibbett, a senior from Corryton, Tenn., rushed for 191 yards on seven carries and chipped in three touchdowns to lead Carson-Newman to a 48-20 win over Mars Hill on Oct. 4. He averaged 27.3 yards per carry, including a 65-yard score. His 27.3 single-game average currently ranks him No. 2 in Carson-Newman history. The game marked his fourth consecutive 100-yard game as he is the first Eagle to notch four-straight 100-yard games since the 2012 season. His three touchdowns also marked the second time this season and his career with three scores in a game. The award is his first Offensive Player of the Week plaudit this season.
McDonnell, a junior from Bluffton, S.C., posted six tackles, three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery to lead Newberry to a 33-10 win over Wingate on Oct. 4. His fumble recovery came in the endzone resulting in a Wolves' touchdown. His six tackles helped the Newberry defense hold Wingate to just 25 yards rushing and 140 yards of total offense. The honor is his first Defensive Player of the Week selection this season.
Miller, a junior from Lexington, S.C., totaled 120 yards of return for the Wolves in the win over Wingate. He returned four kickoffs for 77 yards to average 19.2 yards per return. He also notched 21.5 yards per return as he posted 43 yards on a pair of punt returns. He recorded a long return of 30 yards on his kickoffs to go along with a 26 yard punt return. His is currently averaging 21.5 yards per punt return to rank No. 3 in the nation.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Jordan Ollis (Brevard), Mike Sheehan (Catawba), Miles Freeman (Lenoir-Rhyne) and Romelo Doctor (Newberry).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Michael Gruber (Brevard), Mark McDaniel (Catawba), Jerry Miclisse (Carson-Newman) and Jordan Forney (Lenoir-Rhyne).
Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Rai Smith (Catawba).
2014 AstroTurf SAC Offensive Players of the Week
Sept. 8 - Mike Sheehan, Catawba
Sept. 15 - Dmitri Holmes, Mars Hill
Sept. 22 - Mike Sheehan, Catawba
Sept. 29 - De'Andre Thomas, Carson-Newman
Oct. 6 - Andy Hibbett, Carson-Newman
2014 AstroTurf SAC Defensive Players of the Week
Sept. 8 - Nick Napolitano, Wingate
Sept. 15 - A.J. Booker, Newberry
Sept. 22 - Jason Taylor, Catawba
Sept. 29 - Blake Baker, Lenior-Rhyne
Oct. 6 - Taylor McDonnell, Newberry
2014 AstroTurf SAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Sept. 8 - Patrick Smith, Wingate
Sept. 15 - Andre Overholt, Brevard
Sept. 22 - Lonnie Williams, Carson-Newman
Sept. 29 - Dmitri Holmes, Mars Hill
Oct. 6 - Kevin Miller, Newberry