The South Atlantic Conference Announces Football Players of the Week, Sept. 8

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf  SAC Football Players of the Week for games the first week of the season.  No. 8 Lenoir-Rhyne quarterback Evin Sims was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week, while Tusculum defensive back Martez Thompkins was named the Defensive Player of the Week.  Carson-Newman kicker Carson Wise picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors for games played the first week of the season.

Sims, a sophomore from Greenwood, S.C., rushed for 161 yards and three scores to lead the Bears to a 41-28 win over then No. 23 West Chester on a nationally televised game on Sept. 3.  He carried the ball 14 times to average 11.5 yards per rush, including a long of 37 yards.  Sims also completed one pass for six yards.  The honor is his first Offensive Player of the Week nod this season.

Thompkins, a sophomore from Atlanta, Ga., totaled 10 tackles, a pair of interceptions and one pass break-up in the Pioneers' 47-28 come from behind win over Virginia-Wise on Sept. 5.  His first pick of the game came in the third quarter as he returned it to the two yard-line to set up a Tusculum score.  His second pick was returned for 68 yards to tie a TC school-record.  Thompkins totaled six solo stops.  His two interceptions are the second-most in the TC single-game anals as he recorded 94 yards of return.  The award marks his first Defensive Player of the Week nod this season.

Wise, a freshman from Blacksburg, Va., nailed a 40-yard field goal that ended up being a difference maker as Carson-Newman defeated the University of the Cumberlands 59-56 on Sept. 3.  He also connected on eight extra points for the foggy gray and orange.  The honor is his first Special Team Player of the Week plaudit this season.