Football | 11/3/2014 12:43:00 PM
FRISCO, Texas – Abilene Christian junior cornerback
Jonathan Epps Monday earned the Southland Conference's Defensive Player of the Week award in recognition of his outstanding performance Saturday during the Wildcats' 52-35 thumping of Central Arkansas in Plano, Texas.
A native of Fort Worth and transfer from Tyler Junior College, Epps had two interceptions in his first career start at cornerback. Epps recorded his first interception late in the first half, returning it 29 yards to the ACU 35-yard line to help set up a field goal right before halftime. He snagged his second interception in the fourth quarter, returning it 68 yards for a touchdown to push the Wildcat lead to 45-28 with 7:50 remaining in the contest.
The 2012 graduate of Boswell High School also added four tackles and one pass breakup in the upset victory.
Epps is ACU's first defensive player and second member of the football team to be voted Player of the Week this fall, joining quarterback
Parker McKenzie, who received the offensive award on Sept. 1 and 15.
McKenzie missed Saturday's game with an injury, but his replacement under center
Kade Munden received honorable mention from the Southland voters after running for 100 yards and throwing three touchdown passes in his first collegiate start. Munden also ran for two scores as the Wildcats evened their season and conference records at 5-5 and 3-3.
The Southland's Offensive Player of the Week award went to Lamar senior wide receiver Mark Roberts, who became his school's all-time leader in touchdown catches with 19 after his four scores Saturday in a 72-14 win against Houston Baptist.
Lamar kicker Juan Carranco was selected as the SLC's Special Teams Player of the Week. Carranco went 9-for-10 in PATs and connected on a 43-yard field goal.
Each school's sports information director nominates and votes for the players of the week, though is not permitted to vote for his own player. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from 25 percent of the Southland sports information directors.
