CAA Football Players of the Week -- Sept. 19
RICHMOND, Va. (September 19, 2011) -- CAA Football announced its Player of the Week honorees, Monday, Sept. 19. Four individuals earned honors after showcasing superb efforts in contests played in Week 3 of the 2011 season, including James Madison's Dae'Quan Scott and Cameron Starke, Delaware's Jake Giusti and Massachusetts' Kirk Nelms.
CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week - Dae'Quan Scott, RB, James Madison
Scott earned CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week honors after posting his second-straight 100-yard rushing game and leading JMU to a 27-24 win on the road against nationally-ranked Liberty. The sophomore carried the ball 29 times for 126 yards including a career-best three touchdowns. Scott also corralled three receptions for 22 yards in the win.
CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week - Jake Giusti, SS, Delaware
Giusti, returning from a severe knee injury suffered in last season's National Championship game, the safety picked up CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week honors after returning a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown. Giusti, who also logged a tackle in the 45-0 shutout win over Delaware State, helped pace a Blue Hen defense which limited the Hornets to 112 total yards and just four first downs. Delaware's defensive unit did not allow a third-down conversion on the night, limiting DSU to a 0-for-10 effort.
CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week - Cameron Starke, PK, James Madison
Starke, thanks to a game-winning 40-yard field goal, picked up CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week honors. The sophomore finished James Madison's 27-24 win on the road at No. 22 Liberty perfect in both PAT's (3-for-3) and field goals, including a 32-yarder in the second quarter and the 40-yarder as time expired to win the contest. Starke's 40-yard effort marked the longest field goal made by a Duke since 2009 when Dixon Wright hit a 45-yard attempt against Towson.
CAA Football Rookie of the Week - Kirk Nelms, CB, Massachusetts
Nelms made the most of his first career start by picking off two passes and returning one for a touchdown, helping him to CAA Football Rookie of the Week accolades. The Spotsylvania, Va., native became the second UMass player in two seasons to pick off two passes, but most impressive was his second of the evening which sealed the 36-27 win for the Minutemen over Rhode Island. Nelms' game-winning 80-yard interception return for a touchdown came in the fourth quarter with UMass clinging to a 22-21 lead. UMass went on to score again in the game, and later gave up a game-ending TD to the Rams. Nelms has now forced three turnovers in two early season games for Massachusetts.
You can share your CAA football thoughts, ideas and photos with us now at facebook.com/CAAFootball. CAA Football is blogging at caafootballblog.com...be sure to checkout the official blog of CAA Football to find all sorts of information that might not be at CAAFootball.com. CAA Football is also on Twitter...Fans from all 11 schools can get up-to-date information by following the league at twitter.com/The_CAAFootball. The league also encourages fans to visit us on YouTube: youtube.com/CAAFootball. Logon now and subscribe to see the latest video productions from CAA Football.