Southland Conference Announces Football Players of the Week
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – Abilene Christian redshirt-sophomore quarterback Parker McKenzie was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Southeastern Louisiana senior linebacker Isiah Corbett was named the defensive player of the week while UIW freshman placekicker/punter Ramon Coto, Jr. was named the special teams player of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Parker McKenzie, Abilene Christian
McKenzie recorded the greatest passing game for a first-time starting in ACU history, throwing for 403 yards (30-for-40) and four touchdowns in the Wildcats’ narrow loss to Georgia State from the Sun Belt. The redshirt sophomore from Spring Branch, Texas (Smithson Valley H.S.), connected on touchdown passes of 60, 24, 23 and seven yards. His 403 yards in the air tied for the 17th-best single-game total in ACU history.
Honorable Mention: Caleb Berry, Lamar; Bryan Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana; Jared Johnson, Sam Houston State.
Defensive Player of the Week: Isiah Corbett, Southeastern Louisiana
Corbett led Southeastern Louisiana with seven tackles, including two tackles for loss, in the Lions’ season-opening 44-3 win against Jacksonville. The senior from Belle Glade, Fla. (Glade Central H.S.), led the Lion defense that limited the Dolphins’ offense, which ranked in the top 10 nationally in total offense, rushing offense and scoring offense last season, to just 222 total yards, including 68 rushing yards, and three points.
Honorable Mention: Xavier Bethany, Lamar; Artez Williams, Central Arkansas; Collin Garrett, Stephen F. Austin.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Ramon Coto, Jr., UIW
Coto, a freshman from Houston, Texas (Westfield H.S.), had one of the best place-kicking games in school history in his collegiate debut after connecting on field goals of 47 and 49 yards. His 49-yard field goal was the longest field goal in Benson Stadium history and is the second-longest field goal in school history. Coto also averaged 37.2 yards in five punts and put two of his four kickoffs deep into the end zone for touchbacks.
Honorable Mention: Matt Spencer, Central Arkansas; Lachlan Edwards, Sam Houston State; Ryan Adams, Southeastern Louisiana.
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.