Big South Announces Football Players of the Week - Nov. 22
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Kennesaw State quarterback Xavier Shepherd (Nashville, Tenn.) has been named the Big South Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Gardner-Webb defensive lineman Shai Thomas (Anderson, S.C.) is the Defensive Player of the Week for games played during the final week of the 2021 regular-season. Robert Morris kicker Nick Bisceglia (New Kensington, Pa.) is the Special Teams Player of the Week, and Hampton wide receiver Romon Copeland (Chesapeake, Va.) is the Freshman of the Week.
Shepherd rushed for 118 yards and four touchdowns in the Owls’ 49-17, Big South Championship-clinching win over Monmouth. He also passed for 52 yards and finished the afternoon with 170 yards of offense. Shepherd directed an offense that gained a season-high 471 rushing yards, possessed the clock for 35:21, and tallied touchdown runs of 9, 4, 1 and 1 yards out.
Thomas posted 10 tackles (seven solo), 2.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack in Gardner-Webb’s 35-27 season-finale victory at North Carolina A&T. He paced a defensive effort that allowed only one offensive touchdown on the day, and limited the home squad to 11 first downs and just 168 yards of offense (73 rushing).
Bisceglia was perfect on his four placekicks and made a game-winning 25-yard field goal in overtime to lift Robert Morris to a 20-17 victory over Campbell. He opened the game with a 41-yard field goal to put the Colonials ahead, 3-0, and finished the day with eight points.
Copeland compiled 248 all-purpose yards in the Pirates’ 35-27 setback to North Alabama. He led the squad with career-highs of six receptions for 129 yards, and returned four kickoffs for 102 yards with a long of 35. Copeland also had a 17-yard punt return.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Dontae Crow (Campbell) and Narii Gaither (Gardner-Webb).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Chris Cromartie (Campbell) and Kerick Reese (Kennesaw State).