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Lehigh quarterback Mike Colvin, Jackson State defensive end Joseph LeBeau, McNeese State defensive end Chris Loveless, Murray State receiver/return specialist Walter Powell and Maine running back Nigel Jones have been named The Sports Network FCS National Players of the Week 12 for games ending Nov. 17.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Mike Colvin, Lehigh, Senior, 6-3, 230, QB, Morristown, N.J.
In what would be his last collegiate game, Colvin picked up game MVP honors in college football's longest-played rivalry between Lehigh and Lafayette. The senior completed 25-of-41 passes for 362 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for a career-high 82 yards and one touchdown. As the Mountain Hawks outscored Lafayette, 21-0, in the second half, Colvin threw two of his touchdown passes and scored his rushing touchdown, and the Mountain Hawks went on to post a 38-21 victory in the 148th meeting of the Patriot League schools. In his first season as a starter under center, Colvin guided Lehigh to its third straight double-digit win campaign and its fifth straight win against Lafayette.
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Joseph LeBeau, Jackson State, Senior, 6-1, 245, DE, New Orleans, L.A.
LeBeau, who has been one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference's top pass rushers this season, played a major role in his team's 37-11 victory over Alcorn State. He totaled a game-high 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and one quarterback hurry. The Tigers improved to 7-4 and clinched a spot in the SWAC championship game on Dec. 8 versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where they will seek their first title since 2007. LeBeau helped JSU limit Alcorn to 89 rushing yards on 33 carries. In 11 games, the senior ranks third in the FCS with 20.5 tackles for loss and 1.86 tackles for loss per game.
Chris Loveless, McNeese State, Junior, 6-4, 225, DE, Houston, Texas
Loveless was a takeaway machine in McNeese State's convincing 35-0 win versus Lamar. The junior set a school record and tied a Southland Conference mark with three fumble recoveries. In fact, Lamar's first three possessions of the contest all resulted in fumbles recovered by Loveless. He added five total tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss in the Cowboys' first shutout over a conference foe since 2000. The Cowboys finished the season 7-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Walter Powell, Murray State, Junior, 6-0, 180, WR/RS, St. Louis, Mo.
Powell ended Murray State's season in impressive fashion and was nearly unstoppable in the return game. He gave his team a spark and was the difference-maker in the Racers' 42-35 victory over Southeast Missouri State. The junior set a FCS record with a 100-yard punt return for a touchdown early in the second quarter to give his team a 14-3 lead. He was equally dangerous returning kickoffs, bringing back his first one 83 yards to set up Murray State's first touchdown of the game. He finished the contest with two punt returns for 117 yards and three kickoff returns for 134 yards. As if his special teams play wasn't enough, he added four receptions for 51 yards to finish the day with 302 all-purpose yards.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Nigel Jones, Maine, Freshman, 5-9, 198, RB, Pleasantville, N.J.
Jones saved his best game of the season for his team's final contest of the year. The freshman carried the ball 15 times for 182 yards - averaging 12.1 yards per carry - and two touchdowns in Maine's 55-6 victory over Rhode Island. He scored a touchdown from 18 yards out in the first quarter and capped off his performance with an 82-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. In nine games, he rushed for 358 yards and three touchdowns on just 49 carries (he leads CAA Football with 7.3 yards per rush).
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