ATLANTA, GA. (September 13, 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 2 (games played September 9-11), the D-I Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week, and Special Teams Player of the Week are quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Jackson State), linebacker James Houston (Jackson State) and kicker Cristofer Thompson (Alcorn State), respectively.

Sanders (QB, 6-2, 215, Fr., Canton, Texas) had a record-breaking performance at the Southern Heritage Classic in leading Jackson State to a 38-16 victory over Tennessee State. Sanders completed 30-of-42 passes for 362 yards with 3 TDs and no interceptions in his second career college game. 30 completions set a new classic record for completions as Sanders spread the ball to nine different receivers.

Houston (LB, 6-1, 255, Sr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL) led the Jackson State defensive effort on Saturday in the Tigers' win over Tennessee State. The rush specialist totaled 10 tackles (7 solo) to go along with 4.5 sacks for negative 33 yards. Houston also added five total tackles for loss during Jackson State's 38-16 win.

Thompson (K, 5-10, 170, Jr., Natchez, MS) made two field goals from 40 and 24 yards, and converted one PAT, for Alcorn State in their 13-10 victory over Northwestern State. Thompson’s second field goal from 24 yards kept the Braves within a score as they needed a late touchdown to defeat their FCS guest. The victory was the first win by a SWAC school against a non-HBCU FCS opponent since 2017.

For Week 2 the Under D-I Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week, and Special Teams Player of the Week are quarterback Ja’rome Johnson (Bowie State), defensive linemen Jamal Holloway (Central State) and returner Brett Sylve (Kentucky State), respectively.

Johnson (QB, 6-1, 182, Sr., Washington D.C.) completed 27 of 35 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns, including a 96-yarder to Darious Bowman, in leading #25 Bowie State to a 28-19 win over Saginaw Valley State. Johnson set a career-high in passing yards and longest pass from scrimmage in a Bowie State uniform surpassing a 396 yard game in 2019 where he also had a previous high 80-yard pass. The reigning CIAA Offensive Player of the Year currently leads the conference with 635 yards passing and six touchdowns through the air after two weeks. 

Holloway (DL, 6-3, 245, Sr., Camden, NJ) led a Central State defensive unit that held Lincoln (PA) to seven points and recorded seven sacks in a 19-7 victory for the Mauraders. Holloway recorded 13 tackles (11 solo), two sacks and two forced fumbles inside Lincoln’s 20 yard line.

Sylve (RB, 5-8, 210, Sr., Hammond, La.) had 90 return yards of 136 all-purpose yards on two kickoffs, including a 62-yard return following a go-ahead score by Kentucky Wesleyan with 01:26 to play. The return gave Kentucky State a chance to kick the winning field goal as time nearly expired. The Thorobreds would lose 26-25 and drop to 1-1 on the season.

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

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