Tennessee State junior running back Trabis Ward and sophomore cornerback Steven Godbolt were named adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Co-Offensive and Co-Defensive Players of the Week on Sunday.
Ward carried the ball 43 times for 267 yards (6.2 ypc) and four
touchdowns as Tennessee State improved to 7-0 on the season, making the
Tigers one of just four undefeated teams at the FCS level, with a 40-28
victory at Southeast Missouri. The 267 yards and four touchdowns were
both the second-highest single-game totals in Tennessee State history.
Among all FCS performances this season, the 43 carries were the most,
the four rushing touchdowns were tied for the most and the 267 yards
were the fourth most this season. Ward scored on a seven-yard run in the
second quarter and then added three fourth quarter scores, running it
in from four yards out, one yard out and capping the game with a 30-yard
touchdown scamper with 1:26 to play. Ward currently ranks first nationally in carries (186) second in scoring (11.14 points/game), sixth in rushing (129.71
yards/game) and 16th in all-purpose yards (142.29/game).
It's is the second time that Ward has won Co-Offensive player of the week honors. He shared the award on September 10 for his three touchdown performance vs. Jackson State. He is also the first TSU player to win offensive player of the week more than once in a season since Antonio Heffner in 2008.
Ward shares the honor with quarterback Derek Carr from UT Martin.
Godbolt had four tackles (three solo) and returned an interception 62
yards to setup a key touchdown early in the fourth quarter. With the Tigers holding onto a
20-14 lead and the Redhawks driving late in the third quarter, Godbolt
picked off Scott Lathrop and returned the ball 62 yards to the Southeast
Missouri 26-yard line. Five plays later Ward scored from four
yards out to give TSU a 26-14 advantage. Overall it marked the fourth
interception of the season for the sophomore, who is ranked seventh
nationally with 0.57 interceptions/game, and marked just the second time
all season that Lathrop had been picked off.
This is the first OVC defensive player of the week award for Godbolt, who shares the honor with fellow DB Thad Williams from UT Martin.
It's the fifth time this season that the Tigers have had an OVC player of the week.
Tennessee State continues conference play on the road next Saturday at Jacksonville State. The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be available on Fox College Sports.
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