Big South Announces Football Players of the Week - March 1
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Gardner-Webb running back Narii Gaither (Rock Hill, S.C.) has been named the Big South Football Offensive Player of the Week, while teammate defensive tackle Janathian Turner (Atlanta, Ga.) is the Defensive Player of the Week for games played during the league’s first week of the spring season. GWU return specialist Devron Harper (Conyers, Ga.) is the Special Teams Player of the Week, and Runnin’ Bulldogs’ defensive end Ty French (Moultrie, Ga.) is the Freshman of the Week.
Gaither rushed 19 times for 111 yards -- his first career 100-yard game -- and two touchdowns in Gardner-Webb’s 42-20 win over No. 24 Elon. He had 76 yards and both scores after halftime to help rally the Runnin’ Bulldogs from a 17-0 deficit. Seven of his runs resulted in first downs, and his two TD rushes (2, 18) helped GWU extend its 28-20 lead to the eventual final margin.
Turner recorded seven tackles, 1.0 sack (-10 yards) and 1.0 TFL (-10), and teamed with French to stuff a fake punt near midfield in the decisive third quarter. Turner’s seven stops helped limit the Phoenix to just 270 total yards and 71 yards rushing, while his sack forced a punt that was returned for a touchdown.
Harper returned three kickoffs for 84 yards (28.0 average) and four punts for 40 yards (10.0) -- including a 41-yard punt return touchdown at the end of the third quarter that extended GWU’s lead to 28-20. He returned one kickoff 42 yards to set-up the Runnin’ Bulldogs near midfield, and had a 37-yard kickoff return to give GWU the ball at its own 38-yard line. Harper totaled 124 kick return yards and 138 all-purpose yards.
French amassed 12 total tackles (five solo), 4.0 tackles for loss (-11), 1.5 sacks (-7) and three quarterback hurries to help Gardner-Webb to its 42-20 victory over No. 24 Elon. He was key in the pass rush that limited Elon to just two downfield plays longer than 20 yards. French was on a pair of sacks in the fourth quarter, had a pair of third down tackles in that forced punts, and helped hold Elon to minus-8 yards rushing in the second half.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Tommy Bryant (Kennesaw State)
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Kareem Taylor (Kennesaw State)
Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Nicholas Jones (Kennesaw State)
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Preston Daniels (Kennesaw State)