The South Atlantic Conference Announces AstroTurf SAC Football Players of the Week, Oct. 12
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf SAC Football Players of the Week for games the sixth week of the season. Tusculum quarterback Luke Lancaster was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week, while Catawba defensive back Mark McDaniel was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Mars Hill kicker Dylan Barnas picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Lancaster, a sophomore from Gaffney, S.C., threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns in Tusculum's 26-17 win over then No. 23 Wingate on Oct. 10. He connected on 22-of-34 attempts and highlighted his afternoon with a 76 yard scoring strike to wide-out Ken Drummond. The connection marked his fourth pass of over 70 yards on the year. Lancaster did not throw an interception in his outing and the Tusculum offensive line kept the signal caller protected as they did not allow a sack the entire contest. On the year, Lancaster has thrown for a Conference-best 1,804 yards and 17 scores. The award is his first Player of the Week plaudit this season.
McDaniel, a senior from China Grove, N.C., tied a school-record with three interceptions as the Catawba College Catawba Indians knocked of Limestone 10-3 on Oct. 10. His first pick stopped a Limestone drive in the red zone and set up a Catawba touchdown, while his second interception led to a Catawba Indian field goal. McDaniel's final interception of the game ended Limestone's last effort to tie the game up as he picked off a fourth down pass at the one yard line and returned it to the Limestone 15 yard line. He also chipped in one tackle in the win. The award is his first Defensive Player of the Week selection this season.
Barns, a freshman from Merritt Island, Fla., kicked a 28-yard game-winning field for the Lions in Mars Hill's 17-14 win over Newberry on Oct. 10. Barns also connected on both his extra points in the Lions' win. All three of his kicks came in heavy rain. The honor is his first Special Teams Player of the Week nod this season.
2015 Offensive Players of the Week
Sept. 8 - Evin Sims, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sept. 14 - Cary Littlejohn, Catawba
Keshaun Taylor, Mars Hill
Sept. 21 - Evin Sims, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sept. 28 - Damian Baker, Carson-Newman
Oct. 5 - Isaac Robinson, Tusculum
Oct. 12 - Luke Lancaster, Tusculum
2015 Defensive Players of the Week
Sept. 8 - Martez Thompkins, Tusculum
Sept. 14 - Taylor McDonnell, Newberry
Sept. 21 - Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sept. 28 - Alstevis Squirewell, Newberry
Oct. 5 - Andre Foulks, Wingate
Oct. 12 - Mark McDaniel, Catawba
2015 Special Team Players of the Week
Sept. 8 - Carson Wise, Carson-Newman
Sept. 14 - Christopher Birozes, Wingate
Sept. 21 - Jody Fuller, Wingate
Sept. 28 - Kyle Clark, Newberry
Oct. 5 - Kristaan Ivory, Lenoir-Rhyne
Oct. 12 - Dylan Barnas, Mars Hill