ATLANTA, GA. (September 9, 2021) -- The Black College Sports Network (BCSN) will celebrate the individual accomplishments of football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities weekly from the NCAA FCS level of competition (known as D-I), and combined NCAA D-II and NAIA level of competition (known as Under D-1). Weekly, the BCSN will name an offensive, defensive and special teams player of the week for D-I and Under D-I.

At the conclusion of the season, which after the last HBCU football team has played a contest, the BCSN will recognize players for their National Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Year in each level of competition.

For Week 1 (games played September 2 - 6), the D-I Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week, and Special Teams Player of the Week are quarterback Aqeel Glass (Alabama A&M), defensive back Esaias Guthrie (Delaware State) and kicker/punter Garrett Urban (Grambling), respectively.

Glass (QB, 6-5, 215, Gr., St. Louis, Mo.) showed the skill set that helped elevate him to the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year crown at the conclusion of the spring season. His stellar play at quarterback helped lead Alabama A&M to a thrilling 42-41 victory over South Carolina State to open the 2021 season. Glass went 28-of-49 for 426 yards and four touchdowns through the air while adding one touchdown on the ground. Over the course of the game he would connect on 32 and 35-yard strikes before rushing the ball for the game winning score from one yard out, to give AAMU a 42-41 lead with 6:30 left to play in regulation.

Guthrie (DB, 6-2, 175, r-Fr., Wilmington, Del.) had two of Delaware State’s four interceptions on Saturday against Bowie State, racking up a total of 93 return yards. That included his 87-yard pick-six with 41 seconds remaining in the first half.

Urban (K/P, 5-10, 185, Jr., Houston, Texas) was a key factor for Grambling State’s special teams unit during the Tigers 16-10 win over Tennessee State. He punted the ball six times for a total of 246 yards (41 yards per punt) with a long of 51 yards. Urban would go on to connect on a 24-yard field goal attempt with 9:48 remaining in regulation to push GSU’s lead to 16-10 which would subsequently be the final score of the contest.

For Week 1 the Under D-I Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week, and Special Teams Player of the Week are wide receiver Charles Hall (Virginia Union), defensive linemen Keyshawn James (Fayetteville State) and kicker/punter Andre Labat (Fort Valley State), respectively.

Hall (WR, 6-0, 190, Jr., Trenton, NJ) had a huge game for Virginia Union against FCS-DI Hampton with six catches for 182 yards, including a 83-yard pass from quarterback Khalid Morris. He also hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass from teammate Jaden Reavis. VUU lost 42-28.

James (DL, 6-3, 280, Gr., Cayce, SC) started off his senior season in a big way with a team-high 11 tackles, including four solos, and six tackles for loss as Fayetteville State dominated Elizabeth City State 47-6 at the Down East Viking Football Classic. The All-CIAA defender also registered three sacks and helped lead a Bronco defense that held ECSU to just 101 yards of total offense, including minus-4 yards on the ground. 

Labat (K/P, 5-10, 185, Gr. Miami, FL) made three of four field goals from 42, 22, and 19 yards as Fort Valley State shutout Tuskegee in the inaugural Red Tails Classic 30-0. Labat’s field goals helped give the Wildcats a 6-0 halftime lead before the Wildcats blew open the game with 21 points in the 3rd quarter.

Copy comes courtesy of the communication department of Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

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