NEW ORLEANS – Arkansas State’s Corey Rucker, Troy’s Zion Williams and Georgia Southern’s Britton Williams earn Sun Belt weekly honors after leading their teams to season-opening victories.
Football Offensive Player of the Week
Corey Rucker, Arkansas State
(Fr., WR – Bentonia, Miss.)
Red Wolves freshman wide receiver Corey Rucker hauled in nine receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns in Arkansas State’s 40-21 victory over Central Arkansas. Each of the Bentonia, Miss., product’s three touchdowns came in the second half, helping the Red Wolves overcome a 7-6 halftime deficit in their season-opener at Centennial Bank Stadium.
Football Defensive Player of the Week
Zion Williams, Troy
(Jr., CB – Omaha, Neb.)
Trojans junior cornerback registered a pair of interceptions in Troy’s 55-3 season-opening rout of Southern. The Omaha, Neb., native returned a second-quarter interception 19 yards for a touchdown. Williams anchored the Trojan defense that held Southern to just 189 yards of total offense and a single field goal.
Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Britton Williams, Georgia Southern
(Fr., K – Richmond Hill, Ga.)
Eagles freshman kicker Britton Williams tallied a team-high 12 points in his first collegiate contest, as Georgia Southern defeated Gardner-Webb, 30-25. The Richmond Hill, Ga., native drilled a 49-yard field goal for his first collegiate points, before connecting from 25 and 23 yards out. Williams was a perfect 3-for-3 on PATs, had two touchbacks on seven kickoffs and added a tackle on kickoff coverage.
2021 Sun Belt Football Offensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Corey Rucker, Arkansas State
2021 Sun Belt Football Defensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Zion Williams, Troy
2021 Sun Belt Football Special Teams Players of the Week
Week 1 – Britton Williams, Georgia Southern