SIAC Week 7 Football Honors
Trenton Earl (Clark Atlanta) was named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Offensive Player of the Week and David Smith (Morehouse) earned the Defensive Player of the Week honor for the second straight week, announced on Monday by the league office.
Nehemiah Coward of Central State was tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week along with teammate John Franklin who was selected as the Newcomer of the Week.
Earl, a 6’3 senior wide receiver from Detroit, Mich., tied his career-best with seven receptions and set a new high with 152 receiving yards in a 27-14 win over Benedict. Saturday’s performance was the third time this season he has recorded 100 yards receiving. In the first quarter, Earl hauled in scoring receptions on back-to-back plays covering 30 and 66 yards.
Smith recorded 19 tackles (11 solo) on Saturday in a 26-21 setback to Albany State. Smith’s tackles were a career and a team season-high. Smith a 6’1 sophomore linebacker from Newport News, Va., also recorded 4.5 tackles for loss resulting in 28 yards and 1.5 sacks for 22 yards lost.
Coward helped seal Saturday’s 27-10 win over Lane with a 109-yard touchdown return off a missed Lane field goal attempt. Coward’s return tied for the longest play in school history. He also partially blocked a punt to reward his offense with excellent field position and an eventual score. A starting safety on defense, Coward totaled 10 tackles and one pass break up. Coward is a 5’11 senior from Clermont, Fla.
Franklin had his best game as a Marauder against Lane on Saturday. Franklin, a 6’0 defensive end from Tampa, Fla., recorded three sacks for a total loss of 35 yards. He also finished with four tackles.
