Courtesy of the Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – Nicholls running back Jesse Turner, who scored four touchdowns in Nicholls’ 44-28 homecoming victory over Bacone last Saturday, was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Additionally, Southeastern Louisiana linebacker Mark Newbill was named the defensive player of the week and Sam Houston State kicker Miguel Antonio was named the special teams player of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Jesse Turner, Nicholls
Turner carried the ball 15 times for 210 yards in leading the Colonels to a 44-28 victory over Bacone College in the team’s home opener at Guidry Stadium. His four touchdowns tied the school record and his 14.0 yards per carry set the school record for the most rushing touchdowns in a game. His 87-yard touchdown run was the second longest scoring run in school history. This season, the sophomore from Houma, La. (Ellender), has 49 carries for 408 yards and six touchdowns, and nine receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown. His 102 yards per game ranks 17th nationally and his 10.5 points per game is tied for seventh.
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin; Tyler Arndt, Texas State; Tim Flanders, Sam Houston State.
Defensive Player of the Week: Mark Newbill, Southeastern Louisiana
Playing in his hometown for the first time as a collegian, Newbill tied a career-high with 17 tackles, including 14 solos in a 21-20 loss at Louisiana-Monroe. He also had one tackles for loss. The senior from Monroe, La. (Neville), surpassed Willie Shepherd (229 solo tackles) as Southeastern Louisiana’s all-time leader in solo tackles with 240 and moved to within 22 total tackles of Wayne Faul’s school-record of 368. With three assisted stops, Newbill moved into third-place (106) in school history, passing Herman Colly.
Honorable Mention: Tabbaris Hicks, Nicholls; Darnell Taylor, Sam Houston State; Caleb Nelson, Stephen F. Austin.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Miguel Antonio, Sam Houston State
Antonio was perfect on three field-goal tries and three PATs in the 30-14 victory over Gardner-Webb in the Bearkats’ home opener last Saturday. The sophomore from Lovelady, Texas (Lovelady), connected from 20 and 26 yards and also hit from a season-long 43 yards. For the season, Antonio, who scored 12 points against Gardner-Webb, is 4-of-7 on field goal attempts and has made all five extra points.
Honorable Mention: Karrington Bush, Texas State; Drew Nelson, Stephen F. Austin.
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.