Southland Conference Announces Football Players of the Week
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – Central Arkansas junior quarterback Hayden Hildebrand, UCA junior rover George Odum and Abilene Christian senior punter Austin Kilcullen earned Southland Conference Football Player of the Week honors presented by UniversalCoin.com, the league office announced Monday. Hildebrand took offensive honors while Odum was named defensive player of the week and Kilcullen was tabbed the top special teams player.
Offensive Player of the Week: Hayden Hildebrand, Central Arkansas
Hildebrand completed 81 percent (17-for-21) of his passed in the season-opening win for Central Arkansas. The junior from Bossier City, La. (Airline H.S.), threw for 238 yards and a pair of touchdowns while rushing for 52 yards and a score in UCA’s 56-13 victory over conference foe Houston Baptist.
Honorable Mention: Kade Harrington, Lamar; Jeremiah Briscoe, Sam Houston State; James Tabary, McNeese.
Defensive Player of the Week: George Odum, Central Arkansas
Odum played a key role in Central Arkansas’ defense that held Houston Baptist to just 242 yards. The junior from Millington, Tenn. (Millington Central H.S.), blocked a field goal attempt and returned for a touchdown in the Bears’ 56-13 win over Houston Baptist. Odum recorded six total tackles, including a half tackle for a loss and a half sack in the game.
Honorable Mention: Chris Livings, McNeese; Garrett Dolan, Houston Baptist; Davon Jernigan, Lamar.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Austin Kilcullen, Abilene Christian
Kilcullen, a senior punter from Clarksville, Tenn. (Clarkville H.S.), punted eight times for an average of 46.0 yards per punt in Abilene Christian’s non-conference opener against the Air Force Academy. Kilcullen pinned two punts inside the 20-yard line for the Wildcats and had two touchbacks while not allowing any punt return yards. He recorded a long of 65 yards in ACU’s 37-21 loss to the Falcons.
Honorable Mention: Matt Cummins, Central Arkansas.
Each school’s sports information director nominates and votes for the players of the week, though is not permitted to vote for his own player. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from 25 percent of the Southland sports information directors.