SWAC Football Players of the Week: October 5

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama State quarterback Ellis Richardson and running back Alex Anderson, and Alcorn State linebacker Darien Anderson and kicker Haiden McCraney have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference as football players of the week for their outstanding performance in competition during week five of the season, Oct. 1-3.

Offensive Player of the Week
Ellis Richardson
Alabama State
Quarterback
QB – R-So. - 6-3 - 235 – Villa Rica, Ga.

The dual-threat signal-caller did it with his arms and legs against Texas Southern, accounted for 297 total yards of offense (162 pass, 135 rush) and accounting for four touchdowns in the Hornets’ 41-23 win at Texas Southern. Richardson threw for three scores and rushed for another versus the Tigers, and over the past two contests – both wins for Alabama State – he has been responsible for nine offensive touchdowns.

Defensive Player of the Week
Darien Anderson
Alcorn State
Linebacker
LB – Jr. - 6-1 - 230 – Miami, Fla.

Anderson spear-headed the defensive effort for the Braves, racking up a game-high 11 total stops in Alcorn State’s 61-14 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Anderson was the only player to reach double-digits in tackles from either side, and he also had 1.5 tackles for loss for the Braves.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Haiden McCraney
Alcorn State
Kicker/Punter
K/P – Jr. - 6-1 - 190 – Jackson, Miss.

The Braves’ junior specialist averaged 44.5 yards per punt (four punts for 178 yards) against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, pinning the Golden Lions’ offense inside its own 20-yard line on three of his attempts. In addition, he converted seven point-after attempts for Alcorn State.

Newcomer of the Week
Alex Anderson
Alabama State
Running back
RB – Fr. – 6-0 – 200 – Miami, Fla.

Anderson was a considerable part of the Hornets’ run game against Texas Southern, as he rushed for 134 of the team’s 374 yards on the ground – in just 14 carries – and a touchdown in Alabama State’s 41-23 win. The freshman nearly averaged a first down per rush, and also caught one pass for four yards. Anderson’s score came on a 75-yard dash that put the Hornets ahead for good in the game, as it kicked off a run of 21 unanswered points for ASU.

About SWAC
Founded in 1920, the Southwestern Athletic Conference - made up of historically black colleges and universities - and its members are committed to the philosophy of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the overall educational program. The conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental principles of amateurism, institutional control, sound academic standards, financial aid, recruiting, and ethical conduct that govern intercollegiate athletics, and the enforcement of rules and regulations as adopted by the NCAA. Sponsoring 18 sports, the SWAC ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni playing with professional sports teams- particularly in football.

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