The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its football players of the week for the first installment of the 2013 SIAC Football Season as voted by the SIAC Sports Information Directors Association.
Benedict College’s sophomore quarterback Marcus Graham was named SIAC Offensive Player of the Week and Stillman College junior defensive back was named SIAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Newcomer of the Week was awarded to Morehouse College freshman Lake McGuffie, while Lane College’s Trevante Jones was named SIAC Lineman of the Week. Kentucky State University senior defensive back Ed Dunaway was named SIAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
A bit about the honorees:
Offensive Player of the Week
Marcus Graham, Quarterback, Benedict College
Class: R-Sophomore Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Making his return to his home state of Ohio, Graham went 11-for-23 and threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns while leading Benedict to a 42-9 win over Central State. The Dayton, OH native also had a team high 94-yards rushing on 14 carries and two touchdowns add to his career day of 364 yards of total offense.
Defensive Player of the Week
Cameron Stallings, Defensive Back, Stillman College
Class: Junior Height: 5-11 Weight: 176 Hometown: Hephzibah, Ga.
In his first career start at cornerback, had six tackles and two interceptions to lead Stillman in its season opening 52-0 rout of Concordia-Selma. He returned both interceptions for 26 and 48 yards respectively.
Newcomer of the Week
Lake McGuffie, Wide Receiver, Morehouse College
Class: Freshman Height: 6-0 Weight: 175 Hometown: Hampton, Ga.
The true freshman was the leading receiver for the Maroon Tigers in their 27-16 loss to Howard University at the Annual Nation’s Classic Game held in Washington, DC. McGuffie caught four passes for 102 yards
Offensive Lineman of the Week
Trevonte Jones, Offensive Tackle, Lane College
Class: Junior Height: 6-0 Weight: 310 Hometown: Prichard, Ala.
Jones anchored the Dragons offensive line, grading out 92 percent with three pancake blocks and several key blocks to ignite Lane’s offense for 38 points and 411 yards of total offense. On Lane’s two rushing touchdowns in the Dragons 38-13 opening season victory over Virginal University-Lynchburg.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Ed Dunaway, Defensive Back, Kentucky State University
Class: Senior Height: 5-10 Weight: 201 Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
The senior defensive back had a major impact on special teams with two blocks in Kentucky State’s 42-6 win over Kentucky Wesleyan last Thursday. The senior blocked a punt in the third quarter, which led to a third quarter Breds’ touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Dunaway blocked a KWC extra point.
Other Notable Performances in Week 1
Jessie Atkins, Junior, Wide Receiver, Albany State
The junior caught 11 passes for 162 yards in the Golden Rams 26-23 loss to North Greenville.
Chris Rini, Senior, Quarterback, Lane
The senior passed for 207 yards and rushed for another 74 yards for a total of four touchdowns (three pass, one rush) in Lane’s 38-13 victory over Virginia-Lynchburg. He also connected on a 31-yard field goal and was 3-for-3 in extra points.
Justin Nared, Junior, Quarterback, Tuskegee
The preseason All-SIAC selection threw for 206 yards and tossed two touchdown passes in a 15 second span to lead No. 24 Tuskegee to a 23-7 upset victory over Alabama A&M of the SWAC.
Quavon Taylor, Sophomore, Linebacker, Tuskegee
The middle linebacker posted a game-high 12 tackles (4 solo and 8 assist) in Tuskegee’s 23-7 victory over Alabama A&M on Saturday.
Justin Williams, Junior, Running Back, Kentucky State
The conference’s top returning rusher had a big day on the ground rushing for 133 yards on 20 carries to pace the Thorobreds to a 42-6 win over Kentucky Wesleyan. He also averaged 6.7 yards per carry and broke a 56 yard run on the first play of the game.
Jaquise Lockett, Junior, Running Back, Kentucky State
The bruiser, Lockett, rushed for 112 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns in Kentucky State’s big win over Kentucky Wesleyan.
Jabious Glenn, Senior, Defensive Back, Fort Valley State
Glen had one interception and eight tackles (4 solo, 4 assists) in Fort Valley State’s 36-21 loss to No. 1 Valdosta State.
Jack Howard, Senior, Defensive Back, Lane
Howard, a preseason All-SIAC selection, led Lane’s defense with nine tackles (eight solo, assist) and a pass breakup in the Dragons big win over Virginia University-Lynchburg.
Quintory Braswell, Senior, Defensive Back, Albany State
Braswell recorded three pass break-ups in the Golden Rams 26-24 loss to North Greenville.