Davis Named SAC Defensive Player of the Week

TheSAC.com

The South Atlantic Conference Football Players of the Week have been announced for the week ending September 6, 2009. Newberry College quarterback Brandon Gantt was named the SAC Offensive Player of the Week, Catawba College defensive end Marqus Davis was tabbed the SAC Defensive Player of the week, and Lenoir-Rhyne University return specialist Jamont Jones was named Special Teams Player of the Week.


Gantt, a senior quarterback from Lexington, S.C. (Middle Tenn. St. Univ / Heathwood Hall), wins the award for the second week in a row. He recorded 368 yards of offense for the second straight week and once again etched his name into the Newberry record books. He completed 35-of-47 passes for 335 yards and a touchdown, including 10 consecutive completions to start the game and no interceptions. The 335 yards is ninth in Newberry history and the 15th 300-plus game in school history. It is his second straight game with over 300 yards. He also carried the ball 10 times for 33 yards. His quarterback efficiency rating was 141.36.

Davis (Charlotte, N.C. / North Mecklenburg HS) was one of the defensive stars for the Indians in the win over Fayetteville State as he was in on three sacks and blocked a pair of kicks in the 21-20 win. The senior defensive end had nine tackles overall and had three of the eight team sacks, including one of the final play of the game. Davis also blocked a punt in the first quarter and a field goal try in the second quarter with the game tied at 7-7.

Jones (Washington, N.C. / Washington HS) had a big day on special teams for the Bears Saturday night despite the 52-45 overtime setback to the Mountain Lions of Concord on the road. The sophomore returned four kickoffs for 168 yards (42.0 yards-per-return average) including a 90-yarder for a score in the third quarter. The kickoff return for a touchdown was the first by a Lenoir-Rhyne player in six years. One of the team’s starting cornerbacks, Jones also made six tackles on defense.