NEW ORLEANS – Georgia Southern’s Kyle Vantrease, App State’s Jalen McLeod and Coastal Carolina’s Matthew McDoom earned the conference’s weekly accolades following a signature Saturday for Sun Belt football.
Football Offensive Player of the Week
Kyle Vantrease, Georgia Southern
(6th Yr., QB – Stow, Ohio)
Eagles sixth-year quarterback Kyle Vantrease had a game for the record books as Georgia Southern went into Lincoln and took down Nebraska, 45-42, behind 642 yards of total offense. The Stow, Ohio, product completed 37-of-56 passes for 409 yards and a touchdown, before diving into the end zone for the game-winner with 36 seconds to play. Vantrease’s 56 attempts tied the program record, while his 37 completions and 409 passing yards were the second-most in program history. With the performance, Vantrease became the first Georgia Southern quarterback to post back-to-back 300-yard passing games.
Football Defensive Player of the Week
Jalen McLeod, App State
(So., LB – Washington, D.C.)
Mountaineers sophomore linebacker Jalen McLeod posted a career-high two sacks and two forced fumbles, as App State knocked off No. 6/6 Texas A&M, 17-14, on the road in Kyle Field. The App State defense held the Aggies to just one offensive touchdown, nine first downs and 186 yards of total offense. The Washington, D.C., native’s first quarter strip sack created a turnover that led to the Mountaineers’ first touchdown drive. McLeod tallied four tackles—three unassisted—with two unassisted sacks in the signature road win.
Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Matthew McDoom, Coastal Carolina
(Fr., RS – Winter Garden, Fla.)
Chanticleers freshman return specialist Matthew McDoom returned a second quarter kickoff 95 yards untouched for a touchdown in Coastal Carolina’s 31-27 win over Gardner-Webb. The Winter Garden, Fla., native’s 95-yard kickoff return score was the first for the Chanticleers since Ky’Jon Tyler returned one for a touchdown against Hampton in 2016. The 95-yard return was also the longest for Coastal Carolina since Tyler’s 50-yard kickoff return against Troy in 2017.
2022 Sun Belt Football Offensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Chase Brice, App State (RS Sr., QB – Grayson, Ga.)
Week 2 – Kyle Vantrease, Georgia Southern (6th Yr., QB – Stow, Ohio)
2022 Sun Belt Football Defensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Jason Henderson, Old Dominion (So., LB – Dingmans Ferry, Pa.)
Week 2 – Jalen McLeod, App State (So., LB – Washington, D.C.)
2022 Sun Belt Football Special Teams Players of the Week
Week 1 – Eric Garror, Louisiana (Sr., RS – Mobile, Ala.)
Week 2 – Matthew McDoom, Coastal Carolina (Fr., RS – Winter Garden, Fla.)