Philadelphia, PA – Sam Houston State wide receiver Richard Sincere, Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson, Sam Houston State cornerback Dax Swanson, Grambling State punter Fabian Carter and Georgia Southern running back Dominique Swope have been named The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS National Players of Week 15 for games ending Dec. 10.
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Richard Sincere, Sam Houston State, Sophomore, 5-10, 180, WR, Galveston, TX
A multi-purpose player, Sincere helped the Bearkats to a 49-13 FCS quarterfinal-round victory against Montana State. Operating out of Sam Houston State's version of the wildcat, called the "Wild Bearkat," Sincere carried the ball 11 times for 160 yards. He also had a pair of receptions for 43 yards and a 40-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Jordan Johnson, Montana, Sophomore, 6-1, 202, QB, Eugene, OR
Johnson led the Grizzlies to a 48-10 victory in the FCS quarterfinals against Northern Iowa by accounting for four total touchdowns. The sophomore quarterback completed 13-of-20 attempts for 196 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to the touchdown strikes of 5, 8 and 25 yards, Johnson rushed 10 times for 86 yards and a 6-yard touchdown in the second quarter, which stood up as the game-winner.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dax Swanson, Sam Houston State, Junior, 5-11, 185, CB, Waco, TX
Swanson helped the Bearkats defense limit Montana State to 349 yards of total offense, registering nine tackles and an interception. The junior's third- quarter interception set up a back-breaking Sam Houston State touchdown, giving the Bearkats a 35-13 lead with 7:39 left in the third quarter. On the day, Sam Houston State's defense performed well in clutch situations, limiting Montana State to 3 of 14 on third downs.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fabian Carter, Grambling State, Junior, 6-0, 218, P, Miami, FL
Carter helped the Tigers win the field-position battle in a 16-15 victory over Alabama A&M in the SWAC Championship Game. Carter punted seven times for 306 yards, a 43.7-yard average, including three kicks of 50-plus yards. He also had one punt downed inside the 20-yard line and a long of 58 yards.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Dominique Swope, Georgia Southern, Freshman, 6-0, 209, RB, Buford, GA
Swope was once again a key cog in Georgia Southern's triple-option attack, carrying the ball 23 times for 81 yards in a FCS quarterfinal-round victory against Maine, 35-23. The Eagles held the ball for 42 minutes, 24 seconds, keeping the ball away from Maine's big-play offense and taking advantage of a tired defense. This is Swope's third national player of the week honor.