NEW ORLEANS - Georgia Southern freshman quarterback
Shai Werts has been honored by the Sun Belt Conference for his play in last Saturday's win over South Alabama. The Clinton, South Carolina, native was named the league's offensive player of the week after helping lead the Eagles to their first win of the season.
Georgia Southern travels to Lafayette, Louisiana, this Saturday to take on the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana in another Sun Belt Conference matchup.
Offensive Player of the Week
Shai Werts, Georgia Southern (Fr., QB)
Werts tallied 220 yards of total offense in leading Georgia Southern to its first win of the season, a 52-0 win over South Alabama. Werts led the Eagles with 113 yards rushing and a touchdown, averaging 7.5 yards per carry with a long of 40 yards. He was also efficient in the passing game, completing 7 of 13 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown with a long of 51 yards. GS put up a season-high 583 yards of total offense and controlled the clock for 39:11.
Defensive Player of the Week
Ja'Von Rolland-Jones, Arkansas State (Sr. DL)
Senior defensive end Ja'Von Rolland-Jones recorded seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry, leading an Arkansas State defense that limited Texas State to just 12 points and 188 yards total offense. His seven tackles tied the most on the team, while he posted at least two sacks in a game for the fourth time this year. His 3.5 tackles for loss also matched his season high. He pushed his career sacks total to 41.5, leaving him 2.5 shy of tying the all-time NCAA FBS record. He also finished the game with 60.5 career tackles for loss, which moved him into a tie for the 11th most in NCAA FBS history as well.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Evan Rabon, Coastal Carolina (Jr., P/K)
Rabon nailed a career-best field goal with a 52-yard boot (one yard shy of CCU record) as the 2nd quarter drew to a close in Saturday's game against Idaho. He later drilled a 34 yarder to start the 4th quarter for the eventual final score of 13-7. Rabon also punted well on the day, averaging 40 yards on his four punts. Idaho did not return any of Rabon's punts, as two pinned Idaho inside their 20, including his shortest punt of 30 yards that was downed on the Idaho 8. Of his four kickoffs, two were touchbacks.
