#UACFOOTBALL -- Record-setting performances led the way for United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football weekly award winners as announced by the league office on Monday. The week nine honorees included Austin Peay's Mike DiLiello (Offense), Central Arkansas' David Walker (Defense), Utah Tech's Connor Brooksby (Specialist) and Jyheam Ingram (Freshman) from North Alabama.
DiLiello, the graduate quarterback for APSU, tied the school's single-game passing touchdown record with six touchdown passes in leading the Governors to their sixth-straight victory. The six touchdown throws went to six difference targets and also matched the best single-game total in the FCS this season. DiLiello completed 20-of-25 passes for 353 yards, marking his fourth 300-yard passing effort this year. For his performance, DiLiello was also tabbed the FedEx Ground National Offensive Player of the Week.
A junior defensive lineman, Walker broke a 20-year-old UCA record with 6.5 tackles for loss (-15), including 1.5 sacks (-8) against Tarleton. The preseason All-American finished the game with a career-high 13 total tackles, including 7 solo stops and forced a fumble that set up a UCA field goal. Walker also had a sack on a Tarleton two-point attempt that does not count as an official stat, as it only records as a failed conversion for the Texans.
Connor, the placekicker for Utah Tech, went 3-for-3 in field goal attempts, including tying his own school record with a 55-yard field goal in the first quarter versus EKU. He also made field goals of 31 and 23 yards, while connecting on all three of his PAT chances. Additionally, the 55-yard boot matches the longest field goal made in UAC history.
A true freshman from Muscle Shoals, Ala., Ingram notched a career-best eight tackles with three solo stops for the Lions. He had the second most tackles in the game for UNA and added a tackle for loss against Austin Peay.
2023 WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
| Date |
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special Teams |
Freshman |
| Sept. 4 |
Takairee Kenebrew
(North Alabama) |
Patrick Jones
(Tarleton) |
Adrian Guzman
(Tarleton) |
Xavier Wishert
(Abilene Christian) |
| Sept. 11 |
Keylan Johnson
(Tarleton) |
D.J. Harris
(Tarleton) |
Kyle Ramsey
(Abilene Christian) |
Zach Mitchell
(Southern Utah) |
| Sept. 18 |
Mike DiLiello
(Austin Peay) |
Philjae Bien-Aime
(North Alabama) |
Kam Thomas
(Austin Peay) |
Beau Sparks
(Utah Tech) |
| Sept. 25 |
ShunDerrick Powell
(Central Arkansas) |
Cedarius Doss
(Austin Peay) |
Patrick Nations
(EKU) |
Aaron Sears
(Stephen F. Austin) |
| Oct. 2 |
Kylon Harris
(Stephen F. Austin) |
Logan Blake
(EKU) |
Chris Campos
(Stephen F. Austin) |
Garrett Hawkins
(Austin Peay) |
| Oct. 9 |
Will McElvain
(Central Arkansas) |
Dondi Fuller
(Utah Tech) |
Adrian Guzman
(Tarleton) |
Anson Kraut
(Southern Utah) |
| Oct. 16 |
Braedon Sloan
(EKU) |
Logan Blake
(EKU) |
Kyle Ramsey
(Abilene Christian) |
Aaron Sears
(Stephen F. Austin) |
| Oct. 23 |
Noah Walters / Kobe Tracy
(North Alabama / Utah Tech) |
Logan Blake
(EKU) |
Kam Thomas
(Austin Peay) |
Beau Sparks
(Utah Tech) |
| Oct. 30 |
Mike DiLiello
(Austin Peay) |
David Walker
(Central Arkansas) |
Connor Brooksby
(Utah Tech) |
Jyheam Ingram
(North Alabama) |
Other Nominees:
Offensive -
Kylin James (UCA); Parker McKinney (EKU); Noah Walters (UNA); Targhee Lambson (SUU); Kayvon Britten (Tarleton); Keith Davis (Utah Tech)
Defensive -
Sam Howard (APSU); Mike Smith Jr. (EKU); Tyrik Daniels (UNA); Tre Gola-Callard (SUU); Blake Smith (Tarleton); Jared Fotu (Utah Tech)
Special Teams -
Maddux Trujillo (APSU); Patrick Nations (EKU); Adrian Guzman (Tarleton)
Freshman -
Beau Sparks (Utah Tech)