MAC announces players of the week
Oct. 28, 2002
Mid-American Conference Players of the Week
Week 9 - Games of October 26
East Division
Offense: Byron Leftwich, Marshall, QB (Sr., Washington, D.C.) threw for 374 yards, completing 29-of-42 attempts (69.0%) in a 23-18 win at Central Michigan. Leftwich tossed scoring passes of 58 and eight yards and had three receivers gain 100 or more yards. He became the 20th player in IA history to reach 10,000 passing yards and now has 10,323 career yards.
Defense: Ryan Terry, Miami, DT (Sr., Hazelwood, Mo.) in a 27-13 win at Toledo, Terry had six tackles, two tackles for losses of nine yards and a key fumble recovery. The win stopped the Rockets' school-record tying home win streak at 17, which is also tied for the second most in MAC history. The Miami defense held UT to 20 points below its average.
Elton Patterson, UCF, DE (Sr., Tallahassee, Fla.) recorded three quarterback sacks and four tackles for a loss overall, as well as forcing a fumble in the Golden Knight's 28-17 win over Akron. The UCF defense held the Zips to 11 points below its average entering the game. Patterson totaled eight tackles in the game as well as four quarterback pressures. He also made a touchdown saving tackle.
Special Teams: Ben Roethlisberger, Miami, P (So., Findlay, Ohio) averaged 43.0 ypk on three kicks and pinned Toledo at its own nine, four and four yard line. The RedHawks 27-13 win stopped the Rockets 17-game home winning streak. Roethlisberger was also nominated for the week's offensive player of the week award.
West Division
Offense: Phil Reed, Western Michigan, RB (Jr., Broadview, Ill.) rushed for 226 yards on 22 carries, an average of 10.2 yards per carry, in a 24-20 loss to Northern Illinois. Reed's 226 yards are the highest total in a conference game this season. Reed recorded an 80-yard touchdown run and also had a 63-yard run. The 226 yards tied for the seventh best total in school history.
Defense: Mitch Hewitt, Bowling Green, LB (Jr., Chardon, Ohio) had 12 tackles and two tackles for losses of 12 yards in a 38-20 win over Ball State. Eight of his tackles were solo. Hewitt added a pass break up and three quarterback hurries. The Falcon defense held the Cardinals out of the end zone until 2:19 was left in the third quarter.
Special Teams: Kursten Strothman, Northern Illinois (So., Rochelle, Ill.) blocked a punt that was recovered by teammate Deon Smith for a 21-17 lead en route to a 24-20 win at Western Michigan. The win kept NIU in first place in the MAC West with a perfect 5-0 record. Strothman also saw action at backup linebacker and was credited with two quarterback pressures.
Additional East Division Nominations:
Offense - Buffalo WR Tim Dance (nine receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns in first career start versus Kent State); UCF QB Ryan Schneider (22-of-28 attempts, 287 yards and three touchdowns versus Akron); Kent State RB Antonio King (career-high 112 yards on 22 carries at Buffalo); Miami QB Ben Roethlisberger (22-of-31 passing, 299 yards at Toledo).
Defense - Buffalo DB Mark Graham (12 tackles, 10 solos, an interception versus Kent State); Kent State OLB Shawn Armstead (returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown in a 16-12 win at Buffalo, had two tackles for losses and two pass deflections); Marshall LB Duran Smith (11 tackles, 10 solo, two tackles for a loss at Central Michigan).
Special Teams - UCF P Ryan Flinn (averaged 45.5 ypk on two punts with both dropping inside the 20-yard line versus Akron); Kent State's Lucas Bowen (blocked a punt that was recovered for a touchdown in a 16-12 win at Buffalo); Marshall P/PK Curtis Head (career-best three field goals, averaged 37 ypk on three punts at Central Michigan).
Additional West Division Nominations:
Offense - BG's offensive line (helped team rush for 256 yards on 41 carries, a 6.2 average and did not allow a sack); Central Michigan TB Terrence Jackson (112 yards on 26 attempts and two touchdowns versus Marshall in most extended action since returning from an ankle injury three games ago); Northern Illinois TB A.J. Harris (in place of Michael Turner, rushed for 99 yards on 27 carries, including 37 on 11 attempts in fourth quarter drive that led to an insurance field goal in 24-20 win at Western Michigan); Toledo QB Brian Jones (career high 341 yards, completing 30-of-46 with no interceptions and one touchdown in 27-13 loss to Miami).
Defense - Northern Illinois LB Larry Williams (seven tackles and three sacks in 24-20 win at Western Michigan); Toledo DT Lantz Jeudy (eight tackles, four tackles for a loss versus Miami);
Special Teams - Bowling Green PK Shaun Suisham (made a 25-yard field goal and 3-of-3 PATs in a 38-20 win over Ball State).
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