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MAC announces Week 6 POTW |
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The Mid-American Conference Monday announced Week 6 Players of the Week.
East Division
Offensive Player of the Week: Ohio QB Phil Bates
Junior quarterback Phil Bates (Omaha, Neb.) was an extremely versatile threat for Ohio as he ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries (12.9 per carry) and also completed a 47-yard bomb to wideout Donte Foster for 191 yards of total offense in a 49-25 win over Bowling Green. Bates' first scoring run was a dazzling 62-yard jaunt that saw him skirt the sideline before outrunning several Falcon defenders on his way to the end zone.
Defensive Player of the Week: Kent State DL Roosevelt Nix
Freshman defensive lineman Roosevelt Nix (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) continued his dominating play along the defensive line, recording five tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pair of hurries in a 28-17 win over Akron. With the Flashes holding on to a slim four-point lead with just under four minutes remaining in the game, Nix sacked Zips QB Patrick Nicely and forced a fumble that Kent State fell on in the end zone for a touchdown. Meanwhile, his 3.5 sacks tied for the third-most in school history. His 6.5 sacks and 10.0 TFL on the year both rank in the top 10 in the nation.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Kent State P Matt Rinehart
Junior punter Matt Rinehart (Dover, Ohio) had a solid day averaging 41.2 yards on nine punts in a 28-17 win over Akron. More importantly, six of the nine kicks were downed inside the 20 yard line, including a season-long 64-yard blast that went out of bounds at the two yard line. Three plays later, the defense picked off a pass and went 12 yards into the end zone for Kent State's opening touchdown.
West Division
Offensive Player of the Week: Northern Illinois QB Chandler Harnish
Junior quarterback Chandler Harnish (Bluffton, Ind.) was one of the big differences in Northern Illinois’ 31-17 victory over Temple as the Huskie quarterback accounted for 282 yards of total offense with 211 yards passing and 71 rushing. Harnish had a season-high 20 completions in 25 attempts and threw touchdown passes of 10 and four yards with both TD throws coming on third and goal. The first touchdown pass tied the score at 17 with 30 seconds left in the first half while the second gave Northern Illinois a 24-17 lead. Harnish led scoring drives of 80, 82, 64, 75 and 90 yards in the game. Over the last two games, Harnish is 36-of 45 passing for 492 yards with five TDs and no INTs and he leads the MAC in passing efficiency.
Defensive Player of the Week: Western Michigan DB Lewis Toler
Redshirt freshman defensive back Lewis Toler (New Castle, Del.) had a huge impact on Western Michigan's extremely fast start in the Broncos' win over Ball State. On the Cardinals' first play from scrimmage, Toler picked off Ball State QB Keith Wenning and ran 24 yards untouched for the Broncos' second TD in the first minute of the game. Toler added one tackle and one pass defensed in the victory. Toler has registered three interceptions in the last three games and this was the first pick-six of his career.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Western Michigan K John Potter
Junior kicker John Potter (Grand Haven, Mich.) accounted for one third of Western Michigan's 45 points against Ball State, scoring 15 on a field goal, six PATs and his first career rushing TD on a fake field goal. Potter also extended his program record for tackles by a kicker with two more, giving him 22 for his career. The junior also matched a season high with eight kick offs for a 67.1-yard average and one touch back. Potter kicked off the ball three times and had scored two PATs before a full minute had elapsed in the game. He also leads the MAC in points with 37 so far this season.
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