More national honors for Marty Jones, plus recognition for Vanlier and Rudwall
Tennessee Tech safety Marty Jones has been named the National Defensive Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA), Ladarius Vanlier the National Punt Returner of the Week and an honorable mention nod goes to linebacker Jay Rudwall.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech safety Marty Jones has been
named both the National Defensive Performer of the Week and the
National Defensive Back of the Week by the College Football
Performance Awards (CFPA), while Ladarius Vanlier has been tabbed
the National Punt Returner of the Week. In addition, Vanlier earned
honorable mention as the All-Purpose Player of the Week and
linebacker Jay Rudwall received honorable mention as Linebacker of
the Week.
The harvest of CFPA awards comes following Tech's stunning 39-31
victory last Saturday night over previously unbeaten and 12th
ranked Eastern Kentucky. The Golden Eagles trailed 31-10 early in
the fourth quarter and outscored the Colonels, 29-0, over the final
14 minutes for the victory.
Jones led all players with 12 tackles and tied an OVC record with
four interceptions in the contest. To top it off, the senior from
Cincinnati also scored the game-winning points when he raced into
the end zone for a two-point PAT when he mishandled the snap on a
kick that would have tied the game. It was the third consecutive
game in double figures for tackles, pushing his career total to 308
tackles.
Vanlier, a junior from Nashville, returned a punt 79 yards for
Tech's first touchdown of the night, his second punt return to the
end zone this season and third of his career. He went on to post
264 all-purpose yards including 140 rushing on 19 carries and 45
receiving yards on six catches. In all, he had 26 touches in the
game and scored twice, including a 63-yard burst in the fourth
quarter with Tech clinging to a one-point lead.
Rudwall's defensive performance was also noteworthy, but almost
lost in the shadow of Jones' night. The junior linebacker from
Ooltewah Tenn., had 11 tackles in the contest, one quarterback sack
of seven yards, forced two fumbles and recovered on fumble.
The Golden Eagles head right back into deep water this week with a
road game at FCS No. 7 Jacksonville State. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. in
Burgess-Snow Field.
