FRISCO, Texas – Central Arkansas quarterback Wynrick Smothers was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Bears to a non-conference win over Eastern Illinois, the league office announced Monday. The league also honored
UCA kicker Eddie Camara as its special teams player of the week and McNeese State defensive end Chris Loveless as its defensive player of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Wynrick Smothers, Central Arkansas
Smothers completed 71 percent of his passes with career highs of 35 completions and 49 attempts for 335 yards and four touchdowns in the Bears’ 48-30 victory over No. 24/25 Eastern Illinois. The junior from Destrehan, La. (Destrehan H.S.), led a UCA offense
that rolled up 457 total yards and outscored EIU 24-7 in the second half. He now has 2,852 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, one short of the school record.
Honorable Mention: Gus Johnson, Stephen F. Austin; Kelvin Bennett, McNeese State; Rasheed Harrell, Southeastern Louisiana.
Defensive Player of the Week: Chris Loveless, McNeese State
Loveless set a single-game school record and tied a Southland Conference record with three fumble recoveries in the Cowboys’ 35-0 win against Lamar in the season finale. The junior from Houston, Texas (Sam Houston H.S.), also had five total tackles, one sack,
1.5 tackles for a loss and three quarterback hurries.
Honorable Mention: Dax Swanson, Sam Houston State; Justin Heard, Central Arkansas; Marice Sutton, Southeastern Louisiana; Caleb Nelson, Stephen F. Austin.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Eddie Camara, Central Arkansas
Camara made a career-long 48-yard field goal in the Bears’ win over Eastern Illinois. The sophomore from Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill H.S.), also connect from 25 yards in making both of his field goal tries. He also was 6 for 6 on PATs.
Honorable Mention: Beau Mothe, Southeastern Louisiana; Cory Kemps, Nicholls State; Matt Foster, Sam Houston 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.