Grambling State University's punter has been chosen as the SWAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Jonathan Wallace, a Rayville, Louisiana, native, played a key role during Grambling State's 49-31 victory over the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions Saturday (Nov. 14). He punted five times for 168 yards, an average of 33.6 yards per boot, including four of punts inside the UAPB red zone.
Wallace has been on the football team for three years, and he has has a good experience -- and a few kicks. "I was the starting punter for the team, and as a true freshman I was able to play in three NFL stadiums, Wallace said in an earlier interview, noting that he played in Arrowhead Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. "As an 18 year old, that was a great experience."
The 20-year-old finds inspiration in head football coach Broderick Fobbs, and he pays attention to his leadership lessons and style. "Him being the type of head coach he is, I bring it to SGA." That's the Student Government Association. Wallace juggles academics and football as well as student leadership. He's the SGA president.
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alcorn State quarterback Lenorris Footman, Southern linebacker Aaron Tiller, Grambling State punter Jonathan Wallace and Prairie View A&M cornerback Dominique Weaver have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference for their outstanding performances during action on Nov. 14.
Offensive Player of the Week
Lenorris Footman
Alcorn State
Quarterback
QB – So. - 6-0 - 181 – Monticello, Fla.
Starting in place of John Gibbs Jr., Footman produced with his arms and legs, accounting for 260 total yards and four touchdowns in the Braves' 65-13 win at Texas Southern. Footman was 11-of-18 through the air with 185 yards and two scores. On the ground, he rushed for 75 yards and found the end zone twice. All of Footman's scores came in the first half, where Alcorn State jumped out to a 38-0 lead before the break.
Defensive Player of the Week
Aaron Tiller
Southern
Linebacker
LB– So. - 6-1 - 237 – Columbus, Ohio
Tiller spent a lot of time in the Alabama A&M backfield, with four of his five total tackles coming behind the line of scrimmage. Tiller also got to the quarterback for three sacks in Southern's 46-7 win over Alabama A&M. With the performance, Tiller cracked double-digits in sacks on the season (10) and currently leads the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the category.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Jonathan Wallace
Grambling State
Punter
P – Jr. - 6-0 - 175 – Rayville, La.
Wallace was a significant part of Grambling State's field position battle during the Tigers 49-31 win at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He punted five times for 168 yards – an average of 33.6 yards per boot – but four of his punts pinned the Golden Lions inside of their own 20-yard line. Arkansas-Pine Bluff was unable to score on any of its drives that started inside of the 20-yard line.
Newcomer of the Week
Dominique Weaver
Prairie View A&M
Cornerback
CB – Fr. – 5-8 – 160 – Dallas, Texas
Weaver made three stops – one for loss – and picked off a pass in the Panthers' 38-13 road victory at Alabama State. He also broke up two passes. The freshman currently sits atop the leaderboard in terms of combined pass defenses – interceptions and pass breakups – with nine. He has two picks and seven pass breakups on the year for Prairie View A&M.
