CIAA Football Players of the Week

CIAA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Week 4 September 17, 2011

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN Daven Gray, Winston-Salem State University Position:OTHeight:6-3Weight:310Class:SoHometown:Kernersville, NC Comments:Gray helped lead the way to the Rams 619 yards of total offense, including 447 passing yards in WSSU's 55-24 win over Chowan.

RECEIVER (Wideouts/Tight Ends) Douglas McNeil, III, Bowie State University Position:WRHeight:6-3Weight:205Class:Sr.Hometown:Baltimore, MD Comments:McNeil hauled in a game-high eight receptions, was second best in team reception yards with 75 and accounted for two touchdowns, including a two-point conversion.

QUARTERBACK Kameron Smith, Winston-Salem State University Position: QB Height:5-11Weight:180Class:R-JrHometown:Garner, NC Comments:Kameron had a career night against Chowan, going 17 of 31 with one interception for 355 yards and a career high six touchdown passes in WSSU's 55-24 win over Chowan.

OFFENSIVE BACK (Running back/Halfback/Fullback/Tailback) DaRonte McNeill, Elizabeth City State University Position:TBHeight:6-2Weight:215Class:JrHometown:Elizabeth City, NC Comments:McNeill went over the 100 yard plateau for the first time this season, the 11th time in his career, as he finished the game vs Fayetteville State with 147 yards (135 net) and two touchdowns. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry with his longest going for 16 yards.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN John Davis, Elizabeth City State University Position:DLHeight:6-0Weight:225Class:SOHometown:Sacramento, CA Comments:Davis had a solid all around outing vs Fayetteville State with four tackles (two solo, two assisted) 1.5 sacks for a loss of 12 yards, a fumble recovery for five yards, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

LINEBACKER Brandon Smith, Elizabeth City State University Position:LBHeight:6-0Weight:225Class:SrHometown:Virginia Beach, VA Comments:Smith led all ECSU defenders in the Vikings' win over Fayetteville State with eight tackles (five solo, three assisted) including two tackles for a loss of 15 yards, a forced fumble and an interception returned for six yards, which set up a score deep in Bronco territory.

DEFENSIVE BACK Jerrell Gaynor, Livingstone College Position:CB Height:5'11Weight:180Class:SrHometown:Gastonia, NC Comments:Gaynor had a standout day for the Blue Bear defense intercepting two Bowie State pasess and also recording three total tackles.

ROOKIE Keahn Wallace, Johnson C. Smith University Position:QBHeight:6'2Weight:210Class:Fr.Hometown:Homestead, FL Comments:Keahn Wallace was the top source of offense for JCSU in a 14-7 victory over Virginia State. Wallace finished with 191 yards off 19-of-31 passing. He had one touchdown in the air and 77 yards rushing.

SPECIALTY Kendall Jefferson, Bowie State University Position:RBHeight:5-7Weight:150Class:Fr.Hometown:Temple Hills, MD Comments:Jefferson ranked second on the team in rushing versus Livingstone, netting 42 yards on six carries and returned four punts for 60, one of which was for a 42 yard touchdown.

COACH Steven Aycock, Johnson C. Smith University Comments:Coach Aycock entered a new page of history into his coaching profile with the 14-7 win over Virginia State this weekend. J.C. Smith last won two of their first three games during the 2006 season under then head coach, Daryl McNeill. JCSU has not won their first CIAA contest of the season since 1998; then head coach Bill Davis topped Bowie State 14-12. Aycock accomplished both feats with a 14-7 victory over the VSU Trojans.

Notes of Interest:With his 135 net yards vs FSU on Saturday, ECSU junior tailback DaRonte McNeill picked up his 11th career game with 100 or more yards or more.

Notes of Interest:WSSU will FINALLY have their home opener next week, when the Rams host the Broncos of Fayetteville State at 6pm in Bowman Gray Stadium. WSSU's Nicholas Cooper had a streak of eight consecutive games with 100+ yards rushing snapped when he finished with 98 yards Saturday night.