Sam Houston State Sweeps Southland Football Players of the Week

10/10/2011 1:30:00 PM

FRISCO, Texas - Sam Houston State has swept the Southland Conference football players of the week awards after its 45-10 victory over Stephen F. Austin Saturday in the Battle of the Piney Woods at Reliant Stadium in Houston, the league office announced Monday. Receiver Richard Sincere was named the offensive player of the week, while linebacker Darius Taylor earned the defensive honor and Matt Foster claimed the special teams honor.

Offensive Player of the Week: Richard Sincere, Sam Houston State
Sincere accounted for 147 yards of offense against the Lumberjacks, totaling 111 rushing yards and 36 passing yards. The sophomore from Galveston, Texas (Ball H.S.), averaged 10.1 yards per carry and ran for touchdowns of 4 and 9 yards. He set up his second score on a 51-yard run in the fourth quarter. Running the "Wild Bearkat" formation, Sincere helped Sam Houston roll up 431 yards of total offense an remain one of three unbeaten teams in the Football Championship Subdivision. The 5-0 start is the school's best start since 1994 and only the fifth time in the school's 97 football seasons that it is undefeated through its first five games.

Honorable Mention: Nathan Dick, Central Arkansas; J.J. Hayes, Lamar; Brad Henderson, Northwestern State.

Defensive Player of the Week: Darius Taylor, Sam Houston State
Taylor was responsible for two of Sam Houston State's four interceptions in the Bearkats' win over the two-time defending Southland Conference champions. The junior from Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite H.S.) reeled two opponent passes for 39 yards. His first interception to set up field goal that put Sam Houston up 10-3 at halftime. He returned his second interception 31 yards to the SFA 8 to set up a Tim Flanders touchdown run to give Bearkats a 31-3 lead and close door on the Lumberjacks.

Honorable Mention: Jermayne Lett, Central Arkansas; Asim Hicks, Lamar; Desmund Lighten, McNeese State; Bobby Felder, Nicholls State.

Special Teams Player of the Week: Matt Foster, Sam Houston State
Foster continued his outstanding season, helping Sam Houston win the field position battle with the Lumberjacks with five punts for a 46.0-yard average, including a long of 56 yards and two punts inside the 20. For the year, the junior from Melbourne, Australia, is averaging 42.8 yards per punt with a long of 62 yards. Foster, who has nine punts of 50 or more yards, has landed 12 inside the 20, with two touchbacks and four that have been fair caught.

Honorable Mention: Kollin Kahler, Lamar; Nic Russo, 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.