#UACFOOTBALL -- This week's selections for United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football Players of the Week were all key contributors in big conference victories for their teams. Tarleton State's Victor Gabalis (Offensive) and Qua'Shawn Washington (Defense) along with Austin Peay's Riley Stephens (Specialist) and Kenny Odom (Freshman) each earned their first honor from the league office as announced on Monday afternoon.
The Texans' sophomore quarterback, Gabalis tallied a season-best five touchdowns in his team's dominating win over rival Stephen F. Austin. He went 15-of-19 for a season-high 389 passing yards and four scores while adding his first rushing touchdown of the season. Gabalis' performance led the Tarleton State to a new D1 program record for single-season wins at seven including a 4-1 mark at Memorial Stadium.
Washington, a senior linebacker playing in his final home game for the Texans, recovered a pair of fumbles and now shares the FCS lead with three on the season. He finished with a team-high 10 tackles including five solo stops and also recorded two pass breakups.
Austin Peay's punter and kicker, Stephens averaged 43.7 yards per punt and pinned EKU inside the 20-yard line on four of his kicks. The highlight of the game was his career, APSU and UAC record setting boot of 83 yards that finished up at the four-yard line. Stephens also kicked off six times with five of his kicks resulting in touchbacks.
Odom, a redshirt freshman wide receiver for the Govs, hauled in three catches with all of them coming in the squad's game-tying drive in regulation. One grab was a first down saving catch and Odom capped his performance with a 32-yard contested touchdown catch with 39 seconds left to play. Odom also made a contribution on special teams, recording the tackle for no-gain on Stephen's record-setting 83-yard punt.
2023 WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
| Date |
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special Teams |
Freshman |
| Sept. 4 |
Takairee Kenebrew
(North Alabama) |
Patrick Jones
(Tarleton State) |
Adrian Guzman
(Tarleton State) |
Xavier Wishert
(Abilene Christian) |
| Sept. 11 |
Keylan Johnson
(Tarleton State) |
D.J. Harris
(Tarleton State) |
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 State) |
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) |
| Nov. 6 |
Victor Gabalis
(Tarleton State) |
Qua'Shawn Washington
(Tarleton State) |
Riley Stephens
(Austin Peay) |
Kenny Odom
(Austin Peay) |
Other Nominees:
Offensive -
Maverick McIvor (ACU), Kam Thomas (Austin Peay), Jarrod Barnes (UCA); Parker McKinney (EKU); Takairee Kenebrew (UNA); Isaiah Wooden (SUU)
Defensive -
Travis Bates (APSU); Jake Golday (UCA); Logan Blake (EKU); Ashaad Williams (UNA); Aubrey Nellems (SUU)
Special Teams -
Kyle Ramsey (ACU); Jake Gaster (UCA); Adrian Guzman (Tarleton State)
Freshman -
Jyheam Ingram (North Alabama); Mason Stromstad (SUU); Beau Sparks (Utah Tech)