Story courtesy of the Southland Conference
Photo courtesy of Stephen F. Austin Athletics
FRISCO, Texas – Stephen F. Austin sophomore running back Gus Johnson was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Central Arkansas freshman defensive end Jonathan Woodard was named the defensive player of the week while Southeastern Louisiana senior defensive back Robert Alford was named the special teams player of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Gus Johnson, Stephen F. Austin
Johnson totaled 215 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries in the Lumberjacks’ 42-37 victory over Central Arkansas last Saturday. The sophomore from Gilmer, Texas (Gilmer H.S.), set career-highs in rushes, yards and rushing touchdowns in SFA’s spread offense. Johnson, who averaged 6.7 yards per carry, recorded the sixth-best single-game rushing performance in school history.
Honorable Mention: Chance Nelson, Sam Houston State; Xavier Roberson, Southeastern Louisiana.
Defensive Player of the Week: Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas
Woodard forced two fumbles, recovered three and returned the last one 72 yards for a touchdown that drew the Bears within one score with 4:29 in a game it lost 42-37 at Stephen F. Austin last Saturday. The freshman from Brentwood, Tenn. (Ravenwood H.S.), also had two tackles for losses of six yards among his five tackles, which included three solo stops.
Honorable Mention: Everett Ellefsen, McNeese State; Jordan Aubrey, Stephen F. Austin; Tyler Stoddard, Southeastern Louisiana; Darius Taylor, Sam Houston State.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Robert Alford, Southeastern Louisiana
Alford set a Southeastern single-game record with 105 yards in punt returns in the Lions’ 31-21 victory at Lamar last Saturday. His 75-yard punt return in the third quarter changed the momentum after Lamar had cut the lead to 17-14. The return was the third-longest in school history. Alford, a senior defensive back from Hammond, La. (Hammond H.S.), had a 59-yard return for an apparent touchdown in the first quarter called back becasue of a penalty. He also recorded three tackles and an interception.
Honorable Mention: Jean Breaux, McNeese State; Preston Sanders, Sam Houston State; Phillip Harvey, Northwestern State
Each school’s sports information director nominates and votes for the players of the week, though is not permitted to vote for his own player. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from 25 percent of the Southland sports information directors.