Philadelphia, PA – It was an offensive explosion in Norfolk, Va., this past Saturday, as The Citadel's Ben Dupree gave Old Dominion all it could handle by accouting for 36 of the Bulldogs' 58 points in a 59-58 loss.
With just over a minute and a half remaining in the game, Dupree's first touchdown pass of the game pulled the Bulldogs within 59-58, but a failed two- point conversion kept it that way. Had it not been for Dupree's effort, though, the score may not have been so close.
Dupree, Gardner-Webb's O.J. Mau, Jacksonville's Dylan Lynch, Appalachian State's Marcus Cox and Eastern Kentucky's J.J. Jude have been named The Sports Network FCS National Players of the Week for all Week 4 games ending Sept. 21.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ben Dupree, The Citadel, QB, Sr., 5-9, 185, Harrisburg, Pa.
Dupree's Bulldogs put up a serious fight against FCS-to-FBS transitioning program Old Dominion, but ultimately fell short in the loss. Still, Dupree has a phenomenal day statistically. The senior was responsible for six touchdowns, including five rushing scores. He was 5-of-8 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown - a 23-yard strike with 1:39 left to play. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt for the lead fell short. Dupree's 149 rushing yards were second on the team. He scored on runs of 13, 17, 33, 2 and 19 yards. His five rushing scores set a single-game school record and tied for the third-best total in Southern Conference history.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
O.J. Mau, Gardner-Webb, NG, So., 6-2, 302, Masefau, American Samoa
Mau was one of the key players in Gardner-Webb's surprising, 3-0 victory over nationally ranked Wofford in a rainstorm Saturday night. Typically nose guards aren't known for their statistics, but rather their presence on the field. Mau broke the mold, posting nine tackles from his interior line position, and adding 1 1/2 tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry against Wofford's triple option style attack. His six stops in the fourth quarter were a team high. Mau played a huge role, often matched against Wofford's standout center Jared Singleton.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dylan Lynch, Jacksonville University, K/P, Sr., 6-3, 195, Jacksonville, Fla.
Lynch posted his second consecutive 15-point performance in Jacksonville's 69-16 win over Warner Southern. Lynch converted all nine of his extra point attempts, bringing his consecutive PAT streak to 27, a Jacksonville record. He also made two field goals, connecting on a 42-yarder in the first quarter and a 23-yard attempt in the second. Lynch doubles as the team's punter and kickoff specialist. One of his two punts was downed inside the Warner 20, while five of his nine kickoffs went for touchbacks.
CO-FRESHMEN OF THE WEEK
Marcus Cox, Appalachian State, RB, Fr., 5-10, 185, Dacula, Ga.
Cox's first career start was also a record-setting one. The true freshman became the first player in school history to record 100 receiving yards and 100 rushing yards in the same contest. Cox rushed 26 times for 159 yards and a touchdown, and caught five passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. His 149 receiving yards are the most by a true freshman in program history. His record day helped lift the Mountaineers over Elon, 31-21, for the team's first win of the season.
J.J. Jude, Eastern Kentucky, RB, Fr., 5-9, 191, Hagerhill, Ky.
The redshirt freshman back led Eastern Kentucky with 195 yards rushing on 33 carries, scoring four touchdowns on the ground in the team's 56-24 win over Morehead State. It was a breakout day for Jude, who had carried the ball only 19 times in his first three games combined. His four rushing touchdowns tied the EKU single-game record, while his 195 rushing yards are the highest total in the Ohio Valley Conference this season.
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