Aeropostale Football Players of the Week
Nov. 7, 2005
PLANO, Texas -
After coming off the bench to account for five touchdowns on Saturday, Sam Houston State's Wade Pate has been voted the Aeropostale Southland Conference Offensive Football Player of the Week. Defensively, Michael Young of Nicholls State earns the award after helping the Colonels hang onto first place in the league standings. SHSU's Stevie Smith is the special teams honoree. Following is a look at their performances.
OFFENSE
WADE PATE, Sam Houston State, So., QB, Arp, Texas -- Pate was responsible for all five Bearkat touchdowns in Sam Houston's 35-18 defeat of Southeastern Louisiana. Coming off the bench with the Bearkats down 7-0 late in the first quarter, he sparked a 21-point second quarter. Pate completed 16-of-22 passes for 260 yards, including touchdown throws of 63, 17, and 9 yards. He also rushed for 25 net yards, including scoring runs of 12 and 23 yards.
Honorable Mention: Barrick Nealy, TXST; Louie Runnels, SFA; Yale Vannoy, NICH
DEFENSE
MICHAEL YOUNG, Nicholls State, Sr., DE, New Orleans, La. -- With the help of Michael Young's strongest defensive performance of the season, the Colonels were able to stay atop the SLC standings with a 31-24 win at Northwestern State. Young recorded seven total tackles, four of which were solo hits, 2.5 tackles for losses of 23 yards, and a quarterback sack for a seven-yard loss. His quarterback sack came in the final seconds of the game when the Demons were threatening to send the game into overtime.
Honorable Mention: Marvin Byrdsong, NWLa.; Jeremy Castillo, TXST; Damien Huren, SLU; Aaron Ivey, SHSU; Ryan Luedecke, SFA.
SPECIAL TEAMS
STEVIE SMITH, Sam Houston State, Sr., KR/RB, Sweeny, Texas -- Coming back after missing the McNeese State game with an injured foot, Smith returned two kickoffs for 67 yards, including a long of 43. Smith also caught a 63-yard touchdown pass from Wade Pate as SHSU defeated Southeastern Louisiana, 35-18.
Honorable Mention: Sean Comeaux, NICH; Cory Long, SFA.