Southland Conference Announces Football Players of the Week
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – McNeese State senior quarterback Daniel Sams, UIW senior linebacker Padyn Giebler and McNeese State punter/kicker Jean Breaux earned Southland Conference Football Player of the Week honors presented by UniversalCoin.com, the league office announced Monday. Sams took offensive honors while Giebler was named defensive player of the week and Breaux was tabbed the top special teams player.
Offensive Player of the Week: Daniel Sams, McNeese State
Sams accounted for 332 yards of total offense in McNeese State’s 27-10 win over Sam Houston State to guarantee the Cowboys at least a share of the conference title and the league’s automatic berth to the FCS playoffs. The senior from New Orleans, La. (Salmen H.S.), rushed for 164 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries while passing for 168 yards and a score on 14 completions.
Honorable Mention: Ed Eagan, Northwestern State; Desmond Smith, Central Arkansas; Trent Brittain, UIW; Kade Harrington, Lamar.
Defensive Player of the Week: Padyn Giebler, UIW
Giebler led the UIW defense that shutdown the Southeastern Louisiana offense in the Cardinals’ 16-2 win over the Lions. The senior from Ivan, Texas (Stephenville H.S.), had six total tackles, including five solo, and an interception in the game. The UIW defense held Southeastern to just one first down in the first half and nine total in UIW’s first road win of the season. Giebler and the Cardinals held the Lions to 181 rushing yards below their season average.
Honorable Mention: Tremon Smith, Central Arkansas; Ahmani Martin, Nicholls; Jacob Merriman, Northwestern State.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Jean Breaux, McNeese State
Breaux, a senior from Scott, La. (Acadiana H.S.), was effective in the punting game once against for McNeese, averaging 52.5 yards on four punts. He recorded punts of 57, 51, 45 and 63 yards, and pinned two of those punts inside of the 20-yard line. Breaux accounted for nine points in McNeese’s 27-10 win over Sam Houston as he connected on field goals of 23 and 27 yards and went a perfect 3-for-3 on PATs.
Honorable Mention: Francisco Condado, Nicholls; Jawun Jiles, UIW.
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.