FOOTBALL: Memphis’ Ferguson, Tusculum’s Simon earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson and Tusculum College’s Matt Simon were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from September 4-10.
Ferguson completed 23-of-38 passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns in the Tigers 48-45 victory over 25th-ranked UCLA. The Matthews, N.C., native tossed scoring throws of 2, 47, 42, 33, 12 and 3 yards, the last one with 9:56 remaining in the contest to give Memphis the lead for good.
The 398-yard game was the eighth 300-yard passing outing of his 15-game-old Memphis career and his six touchdown passes tied his career-best (vs Bowling Green last year).
Simon tallied seven tackles and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns for the Pioneers, becoming the first player in program history to return both an interception and a fumble for a TD in the same contest.
The Lithonia, Ga., native scooped up a fumble one-handed and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter, giving Tusculum an early lead. His 29-yard interception return for a TD put the Pioneers ahead, 24-17, with 9:07 left in the contest.
2017 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Sam Castronova, Bethel University (Offense); Alex Campagne, Cumberland University (Defense)
September 6 – Dezmon Huntley, Cumberland University (Offense); Chris Collins, Tennessee State (Defense)
September 12 – Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt (Offense); Jordan Early, Maryville College (Defense)
MEN’S SOCCER: Bryan’s Clarke named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bryan College’s Charlie Clarke earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week accolades, scoring four total goals in a pair of matches for the Lions.
The Norwich, England, native scored in the 10th minute on an assist from Aaron Attree versus 19th-ranked Dalton State College. The junior forward netted the final three goals for Bryan versus St. Andrews University, all in about two minutes in the conference opener for the Lions.
Clarke was assisted by Dino Jones and Keith Lyons at 87:33 and scored unassisted only 46 seconds later, breaking open a 2-1 match with the two goals. He added another score in the final minute on an assist from Jonathan Ricketts. He has seven goals and one assist in eight matches this season.
2017 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Brad Spooner, Bryan College
September 6 – Daniel Williams, Cumberland University
September 12 – Carlos Saavedra, King University
WOMEN’S SOCCER: Bryan’s Giles garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bryan College’s Makena Giles recorded six goals and two assists in two matches for the Lions, earning the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.
The Athens, Tenn., native scored in the 26th minute on an assist from Ruth Rosales and added two unassisted goals in the first six minutes after halftime in a victory over Life University. The freshman also assisted on the first and third goals of the match for Bryan.
Giles added three more goals against St. Andrews University, scoring in the 23rd and 25th minutes and again in the 56th minute in the conference opener for the Lions. She has seven goals and two assists in five matches this season.
2017 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Sydney Cason, Belmont University
September 6 – Magda Mosengo, Carson-Newman
September 12 – Rebecca Holloway, Cumberland University
VOLLEYBALL: Tusculum’s Born named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum College’s Cassie Born was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, recording 56 kills and 51 digs in three matches for the Pioneers.
The Horse Shoe, N.C., native posted a career night in a five-set win over Lincoln Memorial with 26 kills and 26 digs for Tusculum. The junior collected 12 kills and five digs at Lenoir-Rhyne and concluded the week with her second double-double, registering 18 kills and 20 digs in a 3-2 road win at Catawba College.
For the season Born has 115 kills, 3.48 per set, and 108 digs, 3.27 per set, for the Pioneers.
2017 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Ashley Slay, Austin Peay
September 6 – Rylee Milhorn, East Tennessee State
September 12 – Rylee Milhorn, East Tennessee State