BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- Connor Jessop (Shepherd), Stephen Turner (Fairmont State) and Osman Kargbo (West Liberty) have earned Mountain East Conference Player of the Week honors for their play in the seventh week of the season.
Jessop, a junior from Ashburn, Va., is the MEC Offensive Player of the Week after being called into duty to make his first start of the season last week against West Virginia State. Jessop responded by completing 22-of-28 passes for a school-record 480 yards and matched the Shepherd record with five touchdown passes in the game. He also rushed three times for 65 yards and two more touchdowns.
Turner, a sophomore from Clinton, Md., is the MEC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in helping the Falcons to a 21-13 win over Charleston last week. Turner was in on eight stops (six solo), and also had a pair of interceptions. His second pick of the day came on Charleston's final possession and sealed the victory for Fairmont State as the Falcons improved to 7-0 on the year.
Kargbo, a sophomore from Alexandria, Va., is the league's Special Teams Player of the Week after helping give the Hilltoppers a spark last week against UVa-Wise. Kargbo had two kick returns for 99 yards, including an 84-yard return he took for a touchdown that gave West Liberty a 27-21 lead in the third quarter. The Cavs would get a late touchdown to defeat West Liberty, 28-27.
Other Top Performances
Offense: Michael Anderson (WVWC) became Wesleyan's all-time leading rusher last week with 187 yards and a touchdown against Urbana ... Fabian Guerra (FSU) became the school's all-time leader in receptions last week with nine catches for 82 yards ... Carlton Griffith (UVa-Wise) had 156 yards and two touchdowns in a Cavs win ... Mitchell Shegos (NDC) had over 100 yards receiving for the fourth time this year with 11 catches for 141 yards in a win over Concord ... Trevon Saunders (UU) had six grabs for 88 yards, two of which went for TDs ... Dakota Conwell (WLU) had 147 yards passing with two touchdowns and 102 yards rushing ... Davon McGill (CU) had a career-high seven catches for 123 yards in a loss ... Dante Absher (GSC) had seven catches for 65 yards in a non-conference loss.
Defense: Zachary Blair (UVa-Wise) had six tackles and blocked the game-winning field goal attempt by West Liberty to preserve the win for the Cavs ... Jalon Avent had 4.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage last week, including a sack ... Kevin Pharon (WVWC) had 3.5 sacks last week in a win over Urbana ... James Gupton (SU) had 12 tackles, including three for a loss ... Zach Malone (CU) was in on 11 tackles and forced a fumble as the Mountain Lions held Notre Dame to just 14 points ... Carlton Rematt (UU) had a career-high 19 tackles in a one-point loss to West Virginia Wesleyan ... Earon Settles (GSC) had nine tackles and a pick last week against the Battlers ... Jevon Fripp (WLU) registered eight tackles, three going for a loss, and also forced a fumble against UVa-Wise.
Special Teams: Anton Vrebac averaged 46.4 yards per punt and had two boots of over 50 yards ... Brandon Purk (UU) averaged 51.7 yards on three punts, including a career-best 77-yard attempt ... Garrett Lee (CU) averaged 43.8 yards on five punts and had three placed inside the 20 ... Tyler Fischer (WVWC) hit all three PATs, including the game-winner with 16 seconds left.
| 2016 MEC Players of the Week |
| Week |
Offense |
Defense |
Special Teams |
| Sept. 5 |
Emmaneul Smith (NDC) |
Zachary Blair (UVa-Wise) |
Chandler Carrera (GSC) |
| Sept. 12 |
Fabian Guerra (FSU) |
Kyle Alexander (WVSU) |
Ruan Venter (SU) |
| Sept. 19 |
Michael Anderson (WVWC) |
Nick Lopez (GSC) |
Brandon Purk (UU) |
| Sept. 26 |
Billy Brown (SU) |
D'Angelo Niler (SU) |
Sam Keil (FSU) |
| Oct. 3 |
Mitchell Shegos (NDC) |
Zachary Blair (UVa-Wise) |
Trent Martin (UVa-Wise) |
| Oct. 10 |
Jeff Ziemba (SU) |
Ed Kargbo (UVa-Wise) |
Marvelle Ross (NDC) |
| Oct. 17 |
Connor Jessop (SU) |
Stephen Turner (FSU) |
Osman Kargbo (WLU) |