BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference today announced its Week 11 Football Player of the Week awards following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season schedule on Saturday afternoon.
 
The MEC Football Player of the Week awards are presented by The Health Plan.
 
UNC Pembroke running back Sincere Baines was named the MEC Offensive Player of the Week, while West Liberty defensive lineman Cam Rice was honored as the Defensive Player of the Week. Frostburg State kicker Dayne Koontz was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
Baines, a freshman from Fayetteville, N.C., carried the ball 21 times for 178 yards and five touchdowns during UNCP’s win over Concord on Saturday evening. The five rushing touchdowns in a single game set a new school record. Baines also contributed in the passing game, hauling in four passes for 76 yards.
 
Rice, a redshirt sophomore from Morgantown, W.Va., recorded nine tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, one pass breakup and one blocked field goal during West Liberty’s win over Wheeling on Saturday. He returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns. In addition, both forced fumbles recorded a turnover for the West Liberty defense.
 
Koontz, a senior from Hampstead, Md., went 5-fo-5 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points on Saturday against Fairmont State. The five field goals in a single game set a new school record. Koontz made field goals of 24-, 29-, 31-, 33-, and 24-yards.