Nov. 9, 2009

FRISCO, Texas - Senior defensive back Jordan Nevels was honored by the Southland Conference office on Monday afternoon, garnering co-Defensive Player of the Week honors for his role in almost upsetting Stephen F. Austin on Saturday night.

Nevels is the first player of the season to receive a conference award, and is also the Nicholls defensive player to accomplish the feat since Lardarius Webb last season after defeating McNeese State on October 26, 2008.

Nevels, the Ft. Thomas, Kentucky native, established career highs in tackles (12) and forced fumbles (2), while also chalking up his first career interception. Nevels single-handily accounted for three of the Colonels four turnovers in the 31-27 loss at Stephen F. Austin.

Senior fullback Marlin Meeks also picked up honorable mention recognition on offense.

The complete release from the Southland Conference is below.

Southland Conference Announces Football Players of the Week
Pair of Southeastern players honored alongside players from McNeese State and Nicholls

FRISCO, Texas - Southeastern linebacker Mark Newbill and punter Beau Mothe were named the Southland Conference defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively, after guiding the Lions to a 27-0 victory at Northwestern State, the league office announced Monday. Newbill shared the defensive honor with Nicholls defensive back Jordan Nevels. McNeese State tailback Toddrick Pendland was named the Southland's offensive player of the week.

Offensive Player of the Week: Toddrick Pendland, McNeese State
McNeese State tailback Toddrick Pendland, who had missed all or parts of the three previous games, returned in a big way last Saturday against Sam Houston State and helped lead the Cowboys to a 63-42 victory. The senior from Newton, Texas (Newton), ran for a season-high 171 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. He also caught one pass for 24 yards. He scored three of his touchdowns in the first half and averaged 8.6 yards per run. Pendland is the national scoring leader in the Football Championship Subdivision, averaging 11.75 points per game. This is the second player of the week award for Pendland this season.

Honorable Mention: Bradley George, Texas State; Brent Grimes, Central Arkansas; Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin; Brian Babin, Southeastern Louisiana; and Marlin Meeks, Nicholls.

Defensive Co-Player of the Week: Jordan Nevels, Nicholls
Nicholls defensive back Jordan Nevels led the Colonels to a near upset of Stephen F. Austin last Saturday. The senior from Fort Thomas, Ky. (Highlands), recorded 12 total tackles (6 solo) and forced three turnovers. Nevels forced a Lumberjack fumble at the Colonel 1-yard line, saving a score in the second half, and also intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter on the Colonel 5-yard line to prevent another. His final turnover, a forced fumble, took place on third-and-short with less than 90 seconds to play. His 12 tackles, two forced fumbles and interception were career highs for him. This is the first player of the week award for Nevels this season.

Defensive Co-Player of the Week: Mark Newbill, Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana linebacker Mark Newbill recorded 14 tackles, including seven solos, in Southeastern's 27-0 victory at Northwestern State. It was the Lions' first win in Natchitoches, La., since 1976 and their first shutout since a 28-0 win over Western Kentucky in 1984. The junior from Monore, La. (Neville), had one tackle for loss and led a defense that allowed 261 yards total offense and forced two turnovers. This is Newbill's second player of the week award this season.

Honorable Mention: Darrell Jenkins, McNeese State; and Jabara Williams, Stephen F. Austin.

Special Teams Player of the Week: Beau Mothe, Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana punter Beau Mothe punted a season-high nine times, averaging 42.2 yards per attempt, in the Lions' 27-0 victory at Northwestern State. The freshman from New Orleans, La. (Jesuit), placed five punts inside the Demons' 20, including three inside the 10. He had two punts downed at the Northwestern State 1 and another at the Demons' 5. Mothe had three punts of more than 50 yards, including a season-high 54-yard boot in the second quarter. This is the first player of the week award for Mothe this season.

Honorable Mention: Drew Nelson, Stephen F. Austin; Ben Follis, Texas State.

Each school's sports information director nominates and votes for the players of the week, though is not permitted to vote for his own player. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from 25 percent of the Southland sports information directors.

###