#UACFOOTBALL -- United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football wrapped up its second year of regular season play with the league office announcing the Player of the Week selections on Monday afternoon. Southern Utah standout Targhee Lambson (Offensive) and EKU's Marcus Calwise Jr. (Freshman) became multiple time honorees for the season and were joined by first-time recipient Utah Tech's Brevin Hamblin (Defensive). For the first time in league history, a position group was recognized for an award as Tarleton State's Special Teams Units earned distinction.
Lambson, a senior running back and two-time weekly honoree, delivered a workhorse effort in the season finale rushing for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. With his 11th straight 100+ yard game Lambson surpassed the record for most rushing yards in a single season at SUU. He finishes the season leading the FCS in rushing yards with 1,922 and his second touchdown against Utah Tech matched the program record for rushing touchdowns in a single season at 23.
A sophomore defensive back, Hamblin racked up a career-high 16 total tackles, including 2.0 tackles-for-loss and a pass breakup in Utah Tech's double overtime thriller with Southern Utah. Hamblin's biggest play came on the final play of regulation when he blocked SUU's possible game-winning 51 yard field goal attempt, sending the rivalry contest into overtime. His 16 tackles tied him for 10th place on Utah Tech’s single game tackles list and marked the fourth most by a UAC player this season.
The Special Teams units for the Texans made a huge impact last Saturday as back-to-back kickoffs ended up with the football in TSU's possession. The first was on a designed lob “onside” kick that was recovered by Omar Emmons at the UCA 19-yard line and set up a Tarleton field goal followed by the next kickoff ending with a Jaylen Jackson hit that forced a fumble recovered by Rodrick Weaver Jr. Texans returner Benjamin Omayebu covered 61 yards on three punt returns, including a long of 33 yards. In addtion, punter Adrian Guzman placed three of his four punts inside the 20-yard line while kicker Corbin Poston went 1-for-1 on field goals and converted four PATs.
Earning a UAC award for the second consecutive week and third time this season, true freshman wideout Calwise, Jr., posted a team-high five receptions for a career-high 99 yards and one touchdown. His score proved to be the game winner in the fourth quarter as on third-and-14 from his own 33, quarterback Matt Morrissey found Calwise over the middle for the catch and sprint to the end zone for a 67-yard touchdown, reclaiming the lead at 21-15 with 8:10 remaining in regulation. Calwise Jr.'s touchdown was his fourth of the season and marked his third consecutive game with a score
| DATE |
OFFENSIVE |
DEFENSIVE |
SPECIALIST |
FRESHMAN |
| Aug. 26 |
Kayvon Britten
(Tarleton State) |
Kasyus Kurns (Tarleton State)
Gregory Reddick (North Alabama) |
Adrian Guzman
(Tarleton State) |
Jalen Fletcher
(North Alabama) |
| Sept. 2 |
Maverick McIvor
(Abilene Christian) |
David Walker (Central Arkansas)
Micah Thurman (West Georgia) |
Andy Day
(Utah Tech) |
Fred Vili
(North Alabama) |
| Sept. 9 |
Targhee Lambson
(Southern Utah) |
Jaden Lyles
(Austin Peay) |
Danny King
(Southern Utah) |
Josh Anglin
(North Alabama) |
| Sept. 16 |
ShunDerrick Powell
(Central Arkansas) |
Kaghen Roach
(Abilene Christian) |
Ritse Vaes
(Abilene Christian) |
Josh Anglin
(North Alabama) |
| Sept. 23 |
Kayvon Britten
(Tarleton State) |
TaMuarion Wilson
(Central Arkansas) |
Romon Copeland Jr.
(Austin Peay) |
Corey Richardson
(Austin Peay) |
| Sept 30 |
Sam Hicks
(Abilene Christian) |
Ty Rawls
(Tarleton State) |
Scott Payne
(North Alabama) |
Jayden Robertson
(Southen Utah) |
| Oct. 7 |
Nehemiah Martinez
(Abilene Christian) |
George Ramirez
(Southern Utah) |
Dominik Stadlman
(Austin Peay) |
Jalen Fletcher
(North Alabama) |
| Oct. 14 |
TJ Smith
(North Alabama) |
Dillon Williams (Central Arkansas)
Gregory Reddick (North Alabama) |
Patrick Nations
(EKU) |
Jalen Fletcher
(North Alabama) |
| Oct. 21 |
Blayne Taylor
(Abilene Christian) |
Izaiah Kelley
(Abilene Christian) |
Carson Smith
(Austin Peay) |
Marcus Calwise Jr.
(EKU) |
| Oct. 28 |
Joshua Carter
(EKU) |
David Walker
(Central Arkansas) |
Justin Luke
(North Alabama) |
Malachi Henry
(Central Arkansas) |
| Nov. 4 |
Jaden Barnes (Austin Peay)
Reggie Graff (Utah Tech) |
Maddox Marcellus
(EKU) |
Ilya Uvaydov
(Utah Tech) |
Quincy Lejay
(Utah Tech) |
| Nov. 11 |
Maverick McIvor
(Abilene Christian) |
Kameron Rocha
(Southern Utah) |
Reilly Mason
(West Georgia) |
Josh Anglin
(North Alabama) |
| Nov. 18 |
Sam Hicks
(Abilene Christian) |
Will Shaffer
(Abilene Christian) |
Jayden Rogers
(Southern Utah) |
Caleb Koger (Central Arkansas)
Marcus Calwise Jr. (EKU) |
| Nov. 25 |
Targhee Lambson
(Southern Utah) |
Brevin Hamblin
(Utah Tech) |
Special Teams Units
(Tarleton State) |
Marcus Calwise Jr.
(EKU) |
Other Nominees
Offensive:
Austin Smith (APSU); ShunDerrick Powell (UCA); Marcus Calwise Jr. (EKU); TJ Smith (UNA); Victor Gabalis (TSU); Reggie Graff (UT)
Defensive:
Chris Wright (ACU);Keith Gallmon Jr. (APSU); David Walker (UCA); Maddox Marcellus (EKU); Edwin White Schultz (UNA); George Ramirez (SUU); Kasyus Kurns (TSU)
Specialist:
Dominik Stadlman (APSU); Jacob Baker (EKU); Ilya Uvaydov (UT)
Freshman:
Kaden Williams (APSU); Josh Anglin (UNA); Reggie Graff (UT)