Brown, Rucker named SAC Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Mars Hill wide receiver Craig Rucker and Mars Hill quarterback Austin Brown were tabbed as the Co-Offensive Players of the Week, as announced by the South Atlantic Conference Monday morning.
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf Football Players of the Week for games played Sept. 24 through Sept. 30. Mars Hill wide receiver Craig Rucker and Mars Hill quarterback Austin Brown were tabbed as the Co-Offensive Players of the Week, while Lenoir-Rhyne linebacker Clayton Horn was named the Defensive Player of the Week, and Newberry kicker Shea Rodgers was named Special Teams Player of the Week.
Rucker, a junior from Orlando, Fla., had another outstanding week as he led the Lions to a 51-41 win over SAC foe Limestone. He pulled down nine catches for 221 yards, including a team and SAC record five touchdown grabs. Rucker now leads the SAC in receiving yards (148.4) and receiving touchdowns (11). This is Rucker's second Player of the Week honor this season.
Brown, a senior from Asheville, N.C., had an amazing week through the air, as he led the Lions to a 51-41 win over Limestone in SAC action. He was 19-for-30 (63.3 percent) throwing for 371 yards, including a school record six touchdowns. His long pass of the night was a 70-yard touchdown to Rucker in the fourth quarter that tied the game at 38. In addition to his 371 yards in the air, Brown rushed for 41 yards. This is Brown's first Player of the Week award.
Horn, a junior from Mount Pleasant, N.C., was dominate on defense this week as he helped lead the Bears to a 35-10 SAC win over Tusculum. The linebacker was part of a defensive unit that held the Pioneer's leading rusher to negative five yards on five carries, while also holding the Pioneer passing game to just 11 completions in 36 attempts. Individually, Horn had 11 total tackles, including four solo tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. This is Horn's first Defensive Player of the Week accolade this season.
Rodgers, a junior from Indian Land, S.C., led the Newbery to a 20-0 shutout win over UNC Pembroke last week. His placekicking game was once again perfect, as he connected on two field goals (40-yards & 26-yards) and two extra points for eight points. Rodgers also had another great game punting the ball, averaging 42.9 yards on his seven punts with three punts inside the 20-yard line, two touchbacks and two fair catches. This is Rodger's second Player of the Week award of the season.
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