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(STATS) - Versatility was on display with the STATS FCS National Players of the Week when the college football season kicked into high gear this past week.
Eastern Washington's Cooper Kupp, Stony Brook's Jaheem Woods, Saint Francis' Lorenzo Jerome and William & Mary's Corey Parker dominated in so many ways while earning top national honors for games played Sept. 1-4.
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STATS FCS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK=
Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, WR, R-Sr., 6-2, 215, Yakima, Washington
The 2015 STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year became the FCS' all-time leader in touchdown receptions while helping the Eagles upset Washington State 45-42. Cougars coach Mike Leach said Kupp was the best player on the field. He caught 12 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 59 scores for his career to surpass former New Hampshire standout David Ball. Kupp also completed a pass for 22 yards and had two carries for 29 yards. Incredibly, over four career games against Pac-12 opponents, the Big Sky Conference legend has caught 40 passes for 716 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Honorable Mention: Gage Gubrud, QB, Eastern Washington; Kade Harrington, RB, Lamar; Tyrell Maxwell, QB, Gardner-Webb; Steve McShane, RB, Western Illinois; Lamar Raynard, QB, North Carolina A&T
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STATS FCS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK=
Jaheem Woods, Stony Brook, DB, R-Sr., 5-10, 195, Neptune, New Jersey
Stony Brook was looking to replace some of the pass rush lost with the graduation of Victor Ochi, the 2015 CAA Football League co-defensive player of the year. Normally one doesn't think of a defensive back to fill that kind of void, but Woods delivered in the Seawolves' 13-9 defensive gem over then-No. 19 North Dakota. Woods, playing the whip position, recorded career highs with 11 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. The team captain's final sack pinned UND deep in its own territory and led to a blocked punt and game-winning touchdown on the next play. Stony Brook held UND to 177 offensive yards.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Barry, LB, Sacred Heart; Danny Johnson, CB, Southern; Tonarius Portress, DE, Kennesaw State; Cole Reyes, FS, North Dakota; Ben Richard, LB, Bucknell
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STATS FCS SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK=
Lorenzo Jerome, Saint Francis, RS/FS, Sr. 6-0, 195, Sunrise, Florida
Jerome returned a kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter and it wasn't even his longest return in the Northeast Conference team's 41-31 loss at FCS power Montana. In the third quarter, the second-team STATS FCS All-America kickoff returner had an 86-yard return to the Montana 7, which set up a Red Flash touchdown and gave his team a 17-13 lead in the third quarter. He finished with 196 yards on four kick returns and had another 41 yards on two punt returns. He also terrorized Montana on defense, collecting 10 tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss, two interceptions and one pass breakup.
Honorable Mention: Miles Bergner, P, South Dakota; Martez Carter, RS/RB, Grambling State; Deion Holliman, RS/WR, Missouri State; Austin Kilcullen, P, Abilene Christian; Alex Knight, P, Southeast Missouri; Trey Sanders, RS, Campbell
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STATS FCS FRESHMAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK=
Corey Parker, William & Mary, S, R-Fr., 5-11, 190, Haymarket, Virginia
Former William & Mary standout DeAndre Houston-Carson transitioned from cornerback to free safety in the spring of 2015 and went on to earn CAA Football co-defensive player of the year honors. After redshirting last season, Parker transitioned from cornerback to strong safety in this year's spring practices. His various skills were on full display in his first collegiate game as he registered a game-high 15 tackles and intercepted a pass in William & Mary's 48-14 loss to ACC foe North Carolina State. Parker made 10 solo stops and his pickoff came in the Tribe red zone in the second quarter.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Anthony, WR, Howard; Carlos Blackman, RB, Central Arkansas; TaDarryl Marshall, WR, Samford; Ray Miller, LB, Campbell; Shane Simpson, KR, Towson
