Oct. 27, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The eighth installment of the 2008 NAIA National Football Players of the Week were announced today (Oct. 27): James McClain of Cumberland (Tenn.) was named NAIA Offensive Player of the Week, Michael Wright of Ohio Dominican was named NAIA Defensive Player of the Week and Kyle Chilton of Pikeville (Ky.) was named NAIA Special Teams Player of the Week, for the week of Oct. 20-26. These winners were chosen out of a pool of conference player of the week performers among 10 conferences and independents.

McClain, a 5-8, 170 lbs., freshman running back from Goodlettsville, Tenn., was the difference maker in Cumberland’s 46-43 victory at Belhaven (Miss.).  He scored four touchdowns and had 315 all-purpose yards in the game.  McClain rushed for 57 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.  He also caught four passes for 160 yards and two more touchdowns.  As if that weren’t enough, McClain returned five kickoffs for a total of 98 yards.  His performance helped the Bulldogs stay perfect in the MSC Western Division.  Cumberland now sits at 4-4 overall, 4-3 in the MSC and 3-0 in MSC West.

Wright, a 5-9, 170 lbs., senior defensive back from Rockville, Md., set a new school record with three interceptions in one game in Ohio Dominican’s 24-6 win over Taylor (Ind.).  Wright broke the previous record of two, held by Derrick Alexander.  Coincidentally, Alexander’s record also came against Taylor in 2004.  Wright’s big game was part of a defensive effort that saw the Panthers put up three defensive stands inside their own ten yard line.  The win gave head coach Dale Carlson his 100^th career victory.

Chilton, a 511, 170 lbs., junior kicker/punter from Clearwater, Fla., went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts in a Pikeville’s 14-6 loss against then-No. 11 Virginia’s College at Wise.  He connected on kicks of 45 and 46 yards respectively.  With those two field goals, Chilton became the school’s all-time leader in field goals made, breaking Kyle Briscoe’s record of 27.  Chilton also averaged 44.4 yards per punt and placed two of them inside the 20.

For a complete listing of all the national statistical leaders, click here.

The next Player of the Week announcement will be Monday, Nov. 3.

Offensive Nominees:
Blake Anderson, Morningside (Iowa); Nick Banks, Minot State (N.D.); Erik Walden, Bacone (Okla.); Lincoln Cavanagh, William Penn (Iowa); Jeff Wedding, St. Francis (Ind.); Mack Brown, Baker (Kan.); Chad Tormey, Friends (Kan.); Chris Ware, Eastern Oregon

Defensive Nominees:

Brandon Kennard, Langston (Okla.); Art Rubio, Ottawa (Kan.); Clayton Norberg, St. Francis (Ill.); Logan Lollis, Shorter (Ga.); Robbie Schultz, Benedictine (Kan.); Kyle Witty, Eastern Oregon; Bodie Tobin, Dickinson State (N.D.); Cody Van Sloten, Northwestern (Iowa)

Special Teams Nominees:

Dustin Groteluschen, Doane (Neb.); Mervin Brookins, Bethel (Kan.); Gannon Novak, St. Francis (Ill.); Nate Nygaard, Jamestown (N.D.); Shane Golden, Malone (Ohio); Theron Allen, Missouri Valley; Thomas Akers, Eastern Oregon; Ryan Brock, Southern  Nazarene (Okla.); Steve Palmer, Southern Oregon

2008 Composite Award Winners (Schedule):

WEEK 1:

Offense: Josh Kittell (Jamestown College) – SR, QB

Defense: Willie Williams (Union College) – SR, LB

Special Teams: Kevin Kinsall (McKendree University) – JR, K

WEEK 2:

Offense: Randy Hippeard (Virginia-Wise) – SR, QB

Defense: Jarrod Makovicka (Briar Cliff University) – JR, LB

Special Teams: C.J. Gradoville (Morningside College) – SO, K

WEEK 3:

Offense: Jeremy Zientek (St. Xavier (Ill.) University) – SR, QB

Defense: Jordan Highley (Friends University) – JR, DE

Special Teams: Daniel Carter (University of Saint Francis (Ind.)) – JR, TB

WEEK 4:

Offense: Chris Ware (Eastern Oregon University) – FR, QB

Defense: Derrick Sullivan (Sterling (Kan.) College) – SR, LB

Special Teams: Ryan Nanney (Lambuth (Tenn.) University) – JR, K

WEEK 5:

Offense: Erik Walden (Bacone (Okla.) College) – JR, QB

Defense: Carl Thomas (University of Saint Francis (Ind.)) – JR, ILB

Special Teams: Chris Rodgers (Saint. Xavier (Ill.) University) – SR, DB

WEEK 6:

Offense: Ian Gilworth (Morningside (Iowa) College) – SR, QB

Defense: Eric Adolph (Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University) – SR, CB

Special Teams: Braden Dragomir (Bethel (Kan.) College) – SR, K

WEEK 7:

Offense: A.J. Cooley (Shorter (Ga.) College) – JR, FB

Defense: Rob Foley (Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) University) – SO, FS

Special Teams: Corey O’Neill (Southern Oregon University) – SR, K

Week 8:

Offense: James McClain (Cumberland (Tenn.)) – FR, RB

Defense: Michael Wright (Ohio Dominican) – SR, DB

Special Teams: Kyle Chilton (Pikeville (Ky.)) – JR, K/P