MAC Football Offensive Player of the Week
Dru DeShields, Kent State, Quarterback
R-Sophomore, Beloit, OH (West Branch)
Dru DeShields had a career game, throwing for a career-high 317 yards and five touchdowns in Kent State’s 42-35 overtime win at Akron. DeShields’ five touchdown passes were the most by a Golden Flashes quarterback since Josh Cribbs at UCF in 2004.
DeShields completed 17 of 25 passes (68%) with zero interceptions, finding five different receivers for touchdowns. DeShields found Da’Realyst Clark on an 89-yard touchdown in the second quarter, giving the Flashes a 14-10 lead. After trailing 17-14 at halftime, DeShields would find Cade Wolford for 43 yards, Terik Mulder for 7 yards, and Da’Shawn Martin for 27 yards all in the third quarter to give the Flashes a 35-17 lead after three. After Akron came back to tie the game, DeShields would connect with Ardell Banks for the game-winning 25-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime.
MAC Football Co-Defensive Players of the Week
Michael Heldman, Central Michigan, Defensive Lineman
Senior, Romeo, Mich. (Romeo H.S.)
In Central Michigan's 38-19 victory over Buffalo, defensive lineman Michael Heldman had a monster game with four tackles (2 sacks for 11 yards, 2 TFL's), two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. He registered his third pass breakup of the season in the first quarter when he tipped a pass which landed in the arms of Jordan Kwiatkowski, who returned it 48 yards for a touchdown and 7-3 lead. Heldman was disruptive all night long and played a role in virtually every big play for CMU's defense, which recorded a season-high five turnovers (three fumble recoveries/two interceptions).
Mason Woods, Kent State, Linebacker
R-Senior, Woodbridge, Va.
Woods was all over the field, leading the Golden Flashes with 13 total tackles. Woods also made two tackles for loss and a sack in the 42-35 overtime win at Akron. One of Woods’ tackles for loss came on 1st and goal at the one, tackling Gant for a loss of one, where the Flashes would have a crucial goalline stand, holding the Zips to a field goal. Woods also had a tackle for loss on Gant on the first play of the Zips’ overtime possession, putting them in a difficult 2nd and 14, where they would not be able to pick up a first down, giving the Flashes a 42-35 win over the Zips, bringing the Wagon Wheel back to Kent.
MAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Charlie Durkin, Kent State, Punter
Senior, Akron, OH (Archbishop Hoban)
Charlie Durkin had a phenomenal game punting the ball six times for 245 yards (40.8) with three punts being pinned inside the 20. Durkin had one of the best punts in college football when he punted it to Akron’s eight and had backspin on the punt, where it would bounce into Akron’s Malcom DeWalt IV, and long snapper Gus Goodell would recover it for the Flashes at the nine. The Flashes' offense took advantage of the turnover, scoring a three-yard touchdown two plays later. Durkin would also have two punts that pinned Akron at their own 10.
