Monday, November 6, 2017
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

CHICAGO – Campbell's Daniel Smith and Jacksonville's Trevor Tufano each earned FCS Stats National Player of the Week honors, Monday.

Smith, of Leesburg, Virginia, rushed for 289 yards and four touchdowns as Campbell downed Davidson, 42-29, Saturday. His 289 rushing yards were the most in the Pioneer Football League since 2014, the third-most of any runner in the FCS this season and most by a FCS quarterback. Smith’s four touchdown carries tied for most in the FCS this season.

A quarterback by trade, Smith also completed 7-of-18 passes for 156 yards and another touchdown with his 445 total offensive yards ranking 17th among FCS players. Smith’s four scoring runs went for three, 20, 80 and 18 yards, the 80-yard burst providing the game-sealing points.

Tufano, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, intercepted a pass in the end zone and forced two fumbles to help Jacksonville hold off Valparaiso, 20-17, Saturday. On Valparaiso’s final drive and facing first-and-goal, his interception for a touchback ended the threat and sealed the Dolphins’ win.

In the second quarter, Tufano forced a fumble on 4th-and-1 inside Jacksonville territory to end another Crusaders drive, the ensuing JU drive resulting in a touchdown. He also forced a fourth-quarter fumble at the Dolphins five-yard line to help stall a Crusaders drive that resulted in a field goal. Tufano had 10 tackles (eight solo), including a sack on a 3rd-and-4 play that forced a Crusaders punt to start the third quarter.

In addition, Dayton freshman kicker Allan Waltz was an honorable mention selection to the National Special Teams Player of the Week award after converting five field goals in Saturday's action. Davidson freshman running back Wesley Dugger was an honorable mention pick on the Freshman of the Week award. 

Smith and Tufano join Campbell's Montel Woods and Dayton's Sean Smith as PFL athletes to earn STATS FCS National Player of the Week honors this season. Woods was the National Freshman of the Week, Oct. 1, while Dayton's Smith was the National Special Teams Player of the Week, Oct. 8.