LSU, ULL, ULM, Tech all have stars honored by LSWA
An LSU linebacker, a Louisiana-Monroe quarterback a Louisiana Tech running back and a Louisiana-Lafayette kicker were honored with player of the week awards announced Monday by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
On defense, the voters chose to honor Kevin Minter of LSU. Despite the team’s 14-6 loss to Florida, Minter was one shy of the school record with 20 total tackles, including a school record 17 solo stops. The repeat special teams choice was Louisiana-Lafayette kicked Brett Baer, who had two field goals and five PATs in the Cajuns 41-13 win over Tulane.
Minter had one of the best all-around performances for a defender in LSU history with 20 total tackles, one shy of tying the school record in the 14-6 loss to Florida. He set the school record with 17 solo stops to go along with 3 tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks totaling 16 yards in losses. He also forced a fumble as the Tigers held Florida scoreless in the first half. The 20 tackles were the most by an LSU player since 1988 and one shy of tying the school mark of 21 held by Albert Richardson in 1982.
On special teams, Louisiana-Lafayette kicker Brett Baer recorded his fifth consecutive double-figure scoring game by making field goals from 46 and 31 yards and converting all five extra points against Tulane. He also punted twice for a 48.0 average (50 long) with neither being returned.
ULM quarterback Kolton Browningled ULM to its first win in a Sun Belt Conference opener since 2009 with a 31-17 win at Middle Tennessee Saturday. He finished 26-of-38 for 285 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception and also rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries.
Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon ran for 102 yards and became just the fourth Louisiana Tech player to run for four touchdowns in a game as the Bulldogs shredded UNLV, 58-31, Saturday night in Ruston. Dixon averaged 6.4 yards per carry in the game while also catching his first career pass, a 10-yard gain.
LC still ranked
For the second week in a row, Louisiana College is ranked No. 21 in the weekly D3Football.com Top 25 poll.
This is the fourth consecutive week that LC is in the Top 25, extending their current school record.
This sets up a Top 25 matchup between LC and Mary Hardin-Baylor for the second consecutive year, as the Wildcats and the Cru met last year with LC ranked No. 19 in the country, the highest ranking in school history.
UMHB, the American Southwest Conference’s most storied powerhouse, holds onto the No. 2 spot in the D3Football.com and is coming off of a 49-31 victory over Texas Lutheran.
The Crusaders lead the ASC in rushing offense, rushing defense, and are second in scoring offense at over 48 points per game.
UMHB and LC kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Wildcat Field in Pineville.