The South Atlantic Conference Announces AstroTurf Football Players of the Week
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf Football Players of the Week for games played during the first week of the season. Wingate running back Domineke McNeill was tabbed as the Offensive Player of the Week, while Newberry linebacker Joe Blue was named the Defensive Player of the Week, and Wingate punter Chris Birozes picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
McNeill, a junior form Durham, N.C., needed only 18 carries to rack up 155 rushing yards in his first career start at running back. McNeill led the Bulldogs to a season-opening 36-0 win over Johnson C. Smith, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. Included in his career night, was a 67-yard run to setup a Bulldog touchdown in the third quarter. This is McNeill's first Offensive Player of the Week honor.
Blue, a native from Dillon, S.C., was a defensive force to be reckoned with in Newberry's 33-26 loss to Division I Western Carolina. The senior had 20 total tackles, including seven solo tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a pass break-up. Blue's 20 tackles were the most by a Newberry player since 2000 and are the most by a Division II player, so far this season. This is Blue's first Defensive Player of the Week honor this season.
Birozes, a senior from Suwanee, Ga., had an impressive start to the 2018 season. In the Bulldog's 36-0 win over JCSU, Birozes punted eight times, averaging 42.8 yards per punt. He had two punts over 50 yards, including a 54-yard punt. Five of his eight punts pinned the Golden Bulls inside the 20-yard line. This marks his first Special Teams Player of the Week award this season.
2018 SAC AstroTurf Football Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 4 – Domineke McNeill, Wingate
Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 4 – Joe Blue, Newberry
Special Teams Player of the Week
Sept. 4 – Chris Birozes, Wingate
AstroTurf is an official corporate partner of the South Atlantic Conference and title sponsor of the Conference's Player of the Week awards program.
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