TicketSmarter WAC Football Players of the Week Announced
DENVER – Stephen F. Austin's Trae Self, SFA's Jeremiah Walker and Abilene Christian's Blair Zepeda have been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for October 25 through October 31.
Self, a senior quarterback from North Richland Hills, Texas, completed over 80-percent of his passes, racking up 346 yards on 32-of-39 attempts for five touchdowns to lead the 'Jacks to a 41-27 win over visiting Abilene Christian on Saturday. Posting a 198.9 pass efficiency, he was also efficient on the ground, running the ball nine times for 42 yards. On the season, he leads WAC quarterbacks in passing yards, averaging 264.9 per game, and his 17 touchdowns in the air rank second in the league this season.
Walker, a sophomore cornerback from Houston, had two crucial interceptions and picked up a sack as the 'Jacks earned an important 41-27 win over Abilene Christian. One of the leaders on a defense that is allowing a WAC-low 181.0 passing yards per game, he has three picks on the season and averages 3.4 tackles per game.
Zepeda, a redshirt sophomore kicker from Richardson, Texas, hit a career-high 52-yard field goal and was three-for-three on extra points in the Wildcats' loss at Stephen F. Austin. He also made a 41-yard field goal and has now made six field goals on the year in addition to a perfect 29-for-29 on extra points.
Other offensive nominees: Abilene Christian's Davion Johnson totaled 152 all-purpose yards as the Wildcats dropped a conference contest at Stephen F. Austin, 41-27 … Dixie State's Kobe Tracy nearly led the Trailblazers to a win at Delaware, throwing for 314 yards on 25-of-39 passing in a 17-10 loss to the Blue Hens … Sam Houston's Eric Schmid threw for 301 yards and accounted for six total touchdowns, including five passing and one running, in a 45-27 win at Tarleton … Tarleton's Steven Duncan posted a career-high 403 yards passing with four touchdowns in the Texans' 45-27 loss to top-ranked Sam Houston.
Other defensive nominees: Dixie State's Tyrell Grayson racked up a team-high 12 tackles and forced a fumble in the Trailblazers' 17-10 loss to national-power Delaware … Lamar's Adrian Owens totaled seven tackles, adding a sack, in the Cardinals' 42-10 loss at nationally-ranked AQ7 foe Eastern Kentucky … Tarleton's Benjie Franklin finished with five tackles and an interception as the Texans fell 45-27 at home to top-ranked Sam Houston.
Other special teams nominees: Dixie State's Andrew Day punted six times for 222 yards to pin Delaware deep in a 17-10 loss to the Blue Hens … Lamar's Bailey Giffin averaged 42.2 yards per punt and also made a 30-yard field goal in the Cardinals' 42-10 loss at Eastern Kentucky … Stephen F. Austin's Max Quick continued to boom the ball, averaging 48.3 yards per punt in the 'Jacks' win over Abilene Christian … Tarleton's Jake Walrath averaged 41.9 yards per punt as the Texans tried to place Sam Houston deep in their own end.