Northwestern State Sweeps League's Weekly Football Honors
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – Northwestern State swept the Southland Conference football weekly honors after the Demons pulled the come-from-behind upset over Louisiana Tech, 30-27. Senior running back Garrett Atzenweiler was named the league’s offensive player of the week, sophomore safety Adam Jones was tabbed the defensive player of the week and junior kicker Chris Moore was named the special teams player of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Garrett Atzenweiler, Northwestern State
Atzenweiler’s hard running helped lead the Demons to the upset of Louisiana Tech, rushing 19 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns. The senior from Effingham, Kan. (Atchinson County H.S.), scored on rushes of four and 10 yards. His efforts led Northwestern to its first win over an FBS team in 18 tries since 2005 and the league’s 22nd win over an FBS school since 2000.
Honorable Mention: Jace Hudson, Abilene Christian; Jonathan Fleming, Houston Baptist; Carl Harris, Lamar; Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin.
Defensive Player of the Week: Adam Jones, Northwestern State
Jones recorded two pivotal interceptions to help Northwestern State upset Louisiana Tech 30-27 in the first meeting between the two schools in 20 years. The sophomore from Katy, Texas (Seven Lakes H.S.), first pick came in the third quarter when he halted a Louisiana Tech scoring drive by running the interception back 17 yards to set up a Demons’ 58-yard touchdown drive. His second interception came with 52 seconds left in the game when teammate Imoan Claiborne tipped the pass, resulting in a diving pick for Jones at the Demons’ 49-yard line. The Demons would eventually kick the game-winning field goal at couple plays later to win as time expired. Jones was also second on the team with six tackles in the contest.
Honorable Mention: Collin Garrett, Stephen F. Austin; Sam Denmark, Abilene Christian; Tyler Stoddard, Southeastern Louisiana.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Chris Moore, Northwestern State
Moore accounted for 12 points Saturday in Northwestern State’s 30-27 upset win against Conference USA foe Louisiana Tech. The junior from Plano, Texas (Plano H.S.), hit a game-tying 29-yard field goal with 1:05 remaining in the game, and followed that up with a 47-yard game-winning kick as time expired to give the Demons’ their first win over an FBS school in 18 tries since 2005. His 47-yard kick was one yard shy of his career long and tied his season best. Moore, who connected on distances of 29, 41 and 47 and went 3-for-3 on PATs, moved to 10-for-12 on the year in field goals and 5-for-6 on kicks from 40+ yards.
Honorable Mention: Christian Guzman, Houston Baptist; Josh Davis, Lamar; Matt Spencer, Central Arkansas; Aaron Thomas, 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.