#UACFOOTBALL -- Bolstered by an upset win, Utah Tech saw a trio of players named weekly award winners for United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football as announced by the league office on Monday. In addition to the Trailblazer threesome of Reggie Graff (Offense), Ilya Uvaydov (Specialist) and Quincy Lejay (Freshman), EKU's Maddox Marcellus (Defense) and Austin Peay's Jaden Barnes (Offense) were also recognized for their strong performances.
A sophomore wide receiver, Barnes led the Governors offense with a career day versus North Alabama, totaling 241 receiving yards and three touchdown catches on 12 receptions. Barnes caught touchdowns of 57, 31, and 49 yards, with the 57 and 49-yarders being the longest touchdown catches by a Gov this season. His 241 receiving yards are the second-best single-game receiving total in Austin Peay history and the second-best single-game total in the FCS this season.
Graff, a third-year redshirt freshman quarterback, made history in Utah Tech's 34-21 upset victory over No. 9/11 Central Arkansas when he became the first Trailblazer in program history, and the first FCS player this season, to throw for, catch, and rush for a touchdown in the same game. In all, Reggie accounted for all four Trailblazer touchdowns on the day. He threw for 211 yards on 26-of-35 passing and two scores, ran for a team and career high 90 yards on 24 carries to go with his rushing touchdown and caught a 3-yard TD pass. His historic performance also garnered the FCS Offensive Player of the Week award.
A sophomore linebacker, Marcellus anchored the EKU defense in the 17-13 road upset of then #7 Tarleton State with nine tackles. He also added an interception that provided a spark for the EKU offense in the second half. Paced by Marcellus EKU's defense stifled the Texans in the second half, shutting them out and holding them to just 152 yards of total offense.
Uvaydov, a redshirt sophomore kicker, was a perfect six-for-six on his kicks, including four PATs and a pair of field goals. He connected on field goals of 30 and 24 yards, in supporting the Blazers first victory of the season.
A redshirt freshman safety, Lejay racked up a team and career-high 12 tackles to go with a fumble recovery and a pass breakup to lead Utah Tech's strong defensive effort in the Trailblazers' upset win. His first quarter PBU led directly to the first of Utah Tech's two second quarter interceptions, which was part of a school-record tying six total turnovers forced in the victory.
| 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) |
Other Nominees
Offensive:
Darius Hale (UCA); Joshua Carter (EKU); Targhee Lambson (SUU); Kayvon Britten (TSU); Dylan Gary (UWG)
Defensive:
Will Shaffer (ACU); Bo Spearman (APSU); Jace Benesch (UCA); Rush Landsdell (UNA); George Ramirez (SUU); Brandon Tolvert (TSU); Quincy Lejay (UT); Jamie Speight (UWG)
Specialist:
Patrick Nations (EKU); Sam Contorno (UNA); Corbon Poston (TSU); Jelen Lee (UWG)
Freshman:
Corey Richardson (APSU); Malachi Henry (UCA); DJ Galva (EKU); Josh Anglin (UNA); Latrelle Murrell (UWG)