Kyle Shurmur
FOOTBALL: Vanderbilt’s Shurmur, Memphis’ Cook earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur and Memphis defensive back Jonathan Cook were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from November 20-26.
Shurmur completed 20-of-31 passes for 283 yards and a career-best four touchdowns in Vanderbilt’s 42-24 victory over Tennessee. The Philadelphia, Pa., native broke the single-season TD passing mark with his first scoring toss of the game, a nine-yard throw to C.J. Duncan, breaking a record held previously by Whit Taylor in 1982.
The junior’s 30-yard TD pass to Kalija Lipscomb just before the half gave the Commodores a lead they would never relinquish. Shurmur added 20 and 12-yard scoring throws to Trent Sherfield in the fourth quarter. He finished the season with 2,823 passing yards, third most in a single-season at Vanderbilt, along with 26 TD passes.
Jonathan Cook
Cook posted four tackles with one tackle for loss, two pass breakups and returned an interception for a touchdown in a victory over East Carolina. The Daphne, Ala., native played just a half in the contest, as Memphis led 49-0 at intermission despite the Pirates running 50 plays and gaining 218 yards in the first 30 minutes.
The senior had a tackle for loss on the first play of the game and added pass breakups in the first and second quarters. His INT return for 32 yards gave the Tigers a 21-0 lead late in the first quarter. Cook has 63 tackles with 4.0 tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one interception this season.
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)
September 19 – Riley Ferguson, Memphis (Offense); Matt Simon, Tusculum College (Defense)
September 26 – Brad Anderson, Middle Tennessee (Offense); James Gilleylen, UT Martin (Defense)
October 3 – Elijah Chenier, Maryville College (Offense); Jaison Williams, Austin Peay (Defense)
October 10 – Riley Ferguson, Memphis (Offense); Vincent Sellers, Tennessee State (Defense)
October 17 – Alex Ogle, Tusculum College (Offense); L’Keith Brown, Tusculum College (Defense)
October 24 – Kentel Williams, Austin Peay (Offense); John Cleveland, Sewanee (Defense)
November 7 – Derrick Evans, Carson-Newman (Offense); Temoris Coats, Carson-Newman (Defense)
November 14 – Jeremiah Oatsvall, Austin Peay (Offense); L’Keith Brown, Tusculum College (Defense)
November 21 – Riley Ferguson, Memphis (Offense); Juantarius Bryant, Austin Peay (Defense)
Grant Williams
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Tennessee’s Williams named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s Grant Williams earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors on Tuesday, averaging 18.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in three games at the Battle 4 Atlantis over Thanksgiving.
The Charlotte, N.C., native made 8-of-18 shots with a pair of 3-pointers, netting 22 points and eight rebounds in a three-point win over Purdue. The sophomore forward collected 20 points, eight boards, three assists and two blocks in a loss to Villanova, a game the Vols led at halftime, connecting on 9-of-16 shots overall.
Williams finished the tournament with 14 points, six caroms, four assists and three blocks in a victory against N.C. State. He shot 48 percent from the field (22-for-46) in the tournament and was 10-for-15 at the foul line in the three outings as well. He is averaging 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 blocks per game for Tennessee this season.
2017-18 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 14 – Devin Whitfield, Trevecca University
November 21 – Dylan Windler, Belmont
Kylee Smith
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Belmont’s Smith garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Kylee Smith earned Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades on Tuesday, recording 17.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in four games for the Bruins.
The Alpharetta, Ga., native hit 7-of-14 shots overall with three 3-pointers, netting 18 points with three rebounds in a victory over Samford to begin the week. The senior guard posted 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a win against Gonzaga in the first game of the Play4Kay Showcase in Las Vegas, making four triples and connecting on 3-of-4 at the foul line.
Smith added two more 3-pointers and scored 10 points with three rebounds in a loss to Stanford. She finished the tournament with a 28-point effort versus Florida Gulf Coast, connecting on 13-of-23 field goals while registering six boards and three assists.
She is averaging 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Bruins this season.
2017-18 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 14 – Mika Wester, Carson-Newman
November 21 – Haris Price, Carson-Newman