Nov. 3, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The ninth installment of the 2008 NAIA National Football Players of the Week were announced today (Nov. 3): Jacob Appleby of Union (Ky.) was named NAIA Special Teams Player of the Week, Mike Brinkley of Union (Ky.) was named NAIA Offensive Player of the Week and Dennis Thornton of Malone (Ohio) University was named NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, for the week of Oct. 27-Nov. 2. These winners were chosen out of a pool of conference player of the week performers among 10 conferences and independents.

 

Appleby, a 5-10, 185 lbs., freshman kicker/punter from Harvest, Ala., made perhaps the biggest kick of his life count as his 21-yard field goal with :12 remaining clinched the 37-34 victory at No. 10 Virginia-Wise. He went 3-for-3 on field goals including a school-best 49 yarder, which tied the game in the third quarter. His three made field goals also tied a school-record for most FGs made in a game – a feat he has accomplished twice this year. With his 4-for-4 PAT effort, he now has 38 made PATs on the year, which ties a school record. Jacob is tenth in the country in field goals made per game (1.00).

 

Brinkley, a 6-1, 161 lbs., freshman quarterback from Anthony, Fla., led Union back from a 27-10 hole at No. 10 Virginia-Wise. In the 37-34 win, he went 17-for-26 on pass attempts going for 329 yards and four touchdowns. His four passing scores pushed his season total to 27, which tied a school record. He finished with touchdowns in length of 40, 13, 64 and 62 yards and recorded his first 300-yard passing game in his young career. With 3:27 remaining in the game, Mike engineered a seven-play, 80-yard drive which resulted in Appleby’s game-winning kick. His 30-yard pass to Rolando Dyer down to the UVa-Wise 2-yard line put the ball in position for the field goal. He ranks No. 9 in the country in pass efficiency (157.3).

 

Thornton, a 6-0, 205 lbs., senior defensive back from Shaker Heights, Ohio recorded a season-high 18 tackles (11 solo) in the 27-23 win over No. 12 St. Xavier (Ill.). Dennis also forced two fumbles, had one interception and one pass break-up. He thwarted an SXU scoring opportunity by picking off the quarterback in the end zone in the first quarter. During the late stages of the game, he made three tackles and defended a pass during a potential game-winning drive for the Cougars. In national statistics, he ranks No. 1 in forced fumbles per game (0.40) and 18^th in passes defended per game (1.30)

 

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

 

The next Player of the Week announcement will be Monday, Nov. 10.

 

Offensive Nominees:
Ben Kisner, Lindenwood (Mo.); Danny Lowery, Langston (Okla.); Tyler Degenhardt, Sterling (Kan.); Drew Hodgs, Black Hills State (N.D.); Billy Rembold, St. Ambrose (Iowa); Derek Deardorff, Malone (Ohio); Justin Moe, Montana State-Northern; David Shepard, Briar Cliff (Iowa)

 

Defensive Nominees:

Sean Thom, Faulkner (Ala.); Logen Wright, Lindenwood (Mo.); Steven Strasko, William Penn (Iowa); RaShaun Whitmire, Bacone (Okla.); Eric Henke, Minot State (N.D.); Quinn Cunningham, Friends (Kan.); Tyler Newman, Sioux Falls (S.D.); Owen Koeppen, Carroll (Mont.)

 

Special Teams Nominees:

Jess Maddox, Southwestern (Kan.); Aaron Thomas, Bacone (Okla.); Bryan Quackenbush, Marian (Ind.); Josh Mitchell, Quincy (Ill.); Jordan Banion, Benedictine (Kan.); Kyle Kercher, Montana State-Northern; Sean Russell, Dickinson State (N.D.); Zach Egger, Nebraska Wesleyan

 

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.) University) – FR, RB

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

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

 

Week 9:

Offense: Mike Brinkley (Union (Ky.) College) – FR, QB

Defense: Dennis Thornton (Malone (Ohio) University) – SR, DB

Special Teams: Jacob Appleby (Union (Ky.) College) – FR, K/P