A stand-in performance by Cole Garvin earned him Sun Belt Player of the Week honors as he led South Alabama to a convincing 42-24 victory over No. 19 San Diego State
Offensive Player of the Week
Cole Garvin (South Alabama, So., QB, Finance)
Making his first career start in place of an injured Dallas Davis, Garvin completed 16-of-21 attempts for 242 yards and three touchdowns to lead South Alabama to a 42-24 victory over No. 19 San Diego State. The sophomore’s two second-half scoring passes gave the Jaguars the lead, first with a USA season-long 79 yard throw to Gerald Everett on the second play of the third quarter then with a 20-yard pass to Josh Magee that put the Jags in front for good with 12 minutes to go in the contest. Garvin’s three touchdown passes were the most by a South quarterback this fall, while his 76.1 completion percentage was the highest ever recorded by a Jaguar against an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision opponent.
Defensive Player of the Week
Rodney Butler (NM State, Sr., LB, Marketing)
Rodney Butler continues to impress on the defensive end for NM State, registering 18 tackles Saturday night against UL-Lafayette with six solo tackles as the Aggies defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns in double overtime. The NM State captain also picked up his third-career interception in the second quarter when he stepped in front of Anthony Jenning’s pass. His last interception came in 2015, also against the Ragin’ Cajuns. The 6-1 linebacker also forced a fumbled in the first quarter, the fourth of his career.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Bentlee Critcher (Appalachian State, Sr., P/K, Business)
App State punter Bentlee Critcher was a weapon on Saturday. He punted six times for a 42.7-yard average and downed four punts inside the 20-yard line - three inside the 10 - to keep Georgia State backed up all afternoon. Critcher downs punts at the GSU 8-yard line twice and once at the 6-yard line to give GSU a long field all afternoon. Critcher also kicked off four times, all touchbacks, in the win. The Panthers started 10 drives off a Critcher kickoff or punt with an average start at their own 21-yard line.