LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced this week’s football athletes of the week for their performances in week eight. From the East, Tyson Bagent and DeWayne Grantham of Shepherd University were picked, while Devin Bartholomew of East Stroudsburg University also was selected. In the West, Slippery Rock University’s Noah Grover, Gannon University’s Nick White and Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Aiden Spitler earned recognition.
Eastern Division Offensive Athlete of the Week
Shepherd
Tyson Bagent
Quarterback
Senior
Martinsburg, W.Va. / Martinsburg
The reigning Harlon Hill Trophy Winner had yet another fine week for the Rams in an Eastern Division win over West Chester. Bagent was 29-of-34 for 296 yards and three touchdowns through the air. He also plunged a run into the endzone combining for four TDs. He tallied 31 yards on the ground including a 28-yard run.
Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week
Shepherd
Dewayne Grantham
Linebacker
Junior
Martinsburg, W.Va. / Martinsburg
Grantham posted a team-high eight tackles (three solos) in Shepherd's win over West Chester. He had 2.5 tackles-for-loss (-14 yards), 2.0 sacks (-12 yards), and an interception.
Eastern Division Special Teams Athlete of the Week
East Stroudsburg
Devin Bartholomew
Kicker
Redshirt Junior
Schnecksville, Pa. / Parkland
Bartholomew had another solid day for the Warriors in a big 27-21 win over longtime rival, Bloomsburg. He finished the day perfect on PATs going 3-for-3 and was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts with one from 49-yards and another from 40. Bartholomew also had five kickoffs totaling 308 yards averaging 61.6 yards with a pair of touchbacks.
Western Division Offensive Athlete of the Week
Slippery Rock
Noah Grover
Quarterback
Senior
Phoenix, Ariz. / Mountain Pointe
Grover threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns in leading SRU to a convincing 42-24 win at California Saturday, handing the Vulcans only their second Homecoming loss in the last 17 years. The four TD tosses are the most by any QB against Cal this year and SRU's 42 points are 16 more than any other opponent scored against Cal. Grover threw touchdowns of 85 yards, 59 yards, 45 yards and 10 yards. His 85-yard TD pass to Kyle Sheets is the longest passing play in the PSAC West this year.
Western Division Defensive Athlete of the Week
Gannon
Nick White
Defensive Line
Redshirt Junior
Randallstown, Md. / Milford Mill Academy
White had 4 tackles, all solo, with 3 TFL for minus 27 yards and 2 sacks for minus 21. Forced a fumble on a sack which was returned for a 29-yard touchdown. He sacked Hurst QB, then got up and made a key block late in the return as Reginald Hamlette Jr. returned the fumble for a TD for a 28-7 lead. On the very next series he had a 10-yard sack on a second and 2 play. Facing a 3rd-and-12 on next play, Gannon intercepted and returned to Mercyhurst 6. Two plays later GU led 35-7 with 45 seconds left, scoring twice in less than two minutes.
Western Division Special Teams Athlete of the Week
IUP
Aiden Spitler
Punter/Kicker
Redshirt Freshman
State College, Pa. / State College
Made season debut as IUP punter against Seton Hill and had five punts, placing four inside the 20-yard line. Also had a pair of punts over 50 yards. His first punt of the day rolled and was downed at the SHU one yard line, going 69 yards.
ABOUT THE PSAC
Headquartered in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference comprised of 18 institutions in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The member institutions are Bloomsburg, California (Pa.), Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Gannon, Indiana (Pa.), Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Mercyhurst, Millersville, Pitt-Johnstown, Seton Hill, Shepherd, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester.