Philadelphia, PA – The nation's best.
South Dakota State running back Zach Zenner, North Dakota quarterback Marcus Hendrickson, Saint Francis (Pa.) linebacker Bishop Neal, The Citadel place- kicker Thomas Warren and Norfolk State running back Brendon Riddick have been named The Sports Network FCS National Players of the Week 2 for games which ended Sept. 8.
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Zach Zenner, South Dakota State, Sophomore, 6-0, 215, RB, Eagan, Minn.
In the Jackrabbits' 31-14 win at Southeastern Louisiana, Zenner rushed for 278 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries. The sophomore set a SDSU total-yardage record for the program in its Division I era. It was the third-most yardage total in school history - 13 yards shy of tying the school record. Zenner hit the 100-yard mark before halftime and his 278-yard performance is the most in a game by a Division I running back this season. The Jackrabbits' young ball- carrier is averaging 8.1 yards per carry through two games.
Marcus Hendrickson, North Dakota, Senior, 6-1, 197, QB, Perham, Minn.
In his first career start, Hendrickson, a fifth-year senior, was lights out. He completed 16-of-25 passes for 294 yards and tied a school-record with six touchdown passes in North Dakota's 45-37 victory over Portland State. Hendrickson, who also led UND with 50 yards rushing, made his first collegiate start filling in for the team's injured starting quarterback, Braden Hanson. Five of Hendrickson's six touchdown throws came in the first half, and the offense totaled 401 yards to give UND its second win of the season.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bishop Neal, Saint Francis (Pa.), Sophomore, 5-11, 191, LB, Clairton, Pa.
Saint Francis picked up its first-ever win versus Northeast Conference rival Bryant, 39-28. Neal, a sophomore, helped the Red Flash limit the Bulldogs to 272 yards of total offense. The Pennsylvania product finished the day with 13 total tackles, one tackle for loss, a key safety and one interception. On Bryant's final possession, Neal picked off quarterback Mike Westerhaus to seal the win for the Red Flash.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Thomas Warren, The Citadel, Senior, 6-1, 200, PK, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Warren booted three field goals in The Citadel's 23-21 upset of No. 3-ranked Georgia Southern. None was more important than his last of the night, a 37-yard field goal with 35 seconds remaining in the contest. The senior also connected from 42 yards out in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 17-14 lead at halftime and connected from 39 yards late in the third quarter to increase The Citadel cushion to 20-14. Ironically, last year, the Bulldogs failed to convert a 37-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining at Georgia Southern, losing, 14-12. The Citadel is 2-0 for the first time since 2007 after snapping a five- game losing streak versus the Eagles.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Brendon Riddick, Norfolk State, R-Freshman, 5-11, 210, RB, Richmond, Va.
Riddick served as the Spartans' scout-team quarterback last fall, before moving to running back in the spring. The redshirt freshman came off the NSU bench to rush for 150 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries in a 31-24 comeback win at Liberty. Norfolk State trailed 17-7 at halftime, but relied on Riddick. He scored his final touchdown of the game from two yards out, with 12:45 left, to give NSU the lead for good.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.