BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– The Southwestern Athletic Conference has named Jackson State’s Shedeur Sanders, Grambling State’s Lewis Matthews, Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Maurice Lloyd, and Alcorn State’s Jarveon Howardits SWAC Football Players of the Week for their outstanding performances during games played this past week of competition.
Offensive- Sanders completed 29-of-33 pass attempts for 323 yards while throwing a career-high five touchdown passes with only four incompletions during JSU’s season opener. He completed his first 17 pass attempts of the game (career-high). Sanders also completed passes to 11 different receivers during the Tiger’s 59-3 win over Florida A&M at the Orange Blossom Classic.
Defensive- Matthews registered a game-high 14 total tackles (12 solos) during the Grambling State Tigers’ season opener at Arkansas State. He also contributed 4.5 tackles for loss while assisting on two tackles.
Specialist- Lloyd was a significant contributor for the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions during a 48-42 win over Lane. He finished the night with four kickoff returns for a total of 187 yards. He returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown at the 14:46 mark of the third quarter extending UAPB’s lead over Lane.
Newcomer- Howard tallied a game-high 199 yards on the ground during the Braves’ near-upset of 10th-ranked Stephen F. Austin. The Columbia, Mississippi native had a 73-yard rushing score just before the half that extended the Braves’ lead at 24-10 going into intermission. Howard also contributed one reception out of the backfield for five yards.