Sunday, October 1, 2023
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

Offensive

Mari Adams, Davidson (Sophomore, Running Back, Shelby, North Carolina)

Adams became the first PFL running back to rush for four touchdowns this season, helping Davidson down San Diego 55-33 in Saturday's PFL action. Adams opened the day’s scoring with a 12-yard touchdown burst. However, his three touchdowns in the second half helped Davidson break open the game. He ran for two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 21-point third quarter, then tacked on a 66-yard touchdown run with 9:19 left in the game. Adams led a Davidson run attack that finished with 449 yards and seven touchdowns.

Others Nominated

• Dorian Boyland, Running Back, Drake: Had a 64-yard touchdown run as part of his 15-carry, 123-yard outing in a win at Morehead State.
• Jake Coleman, Wide Receiver, Dayton: Caught three passes totaling 93 yards in a loss to St. Thomas.
• Dominic Kibby, Wide Receiver, Presbyterian: His first two receptions went for touchdowns from 93 and 75 yards as part of a 5-reception, 199-yard performance in a loss at Butler.
• Jyran Mitchell, Running Back, Butler: Ran for 149 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries in a win against Presbyterian. Also completed a 17-yard pass and caught a 13-yard pass.
• Matt O’Connor, Quarterback, Stetson: Completed 20-of-27 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns in a loss at Marist.
• Ryan Upp, Wide Receiver, Morehead State: Caught Morehead State’s lone touchdown in a 10-reception, 130-yard effort as part of a loss to Drake.
• Amin Woods, Running Back, Marist: Tied a program record with 38 carries, ran for a PFL season-best 232 yards, and scored a touchdown in a win against Stetson.

Defensive

Luke Herzog, St. Thomas (Senior, Linebacker, Mendota Heights, Minnesota)

Filled in the box score as part of a six-tackle performance as St. Thomas held off Dayton for a 20-14 PFL win Saturday. He recovered a fumble near the end of the first half to help the Tommies take a 20-7 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, he was part of a tackle for loss on 3rd-and-1 that stalled another Dayton drive near midfield. He added to his resume in the fourth quarter, breaking up a pass on third down to bog down a Dayton drive, ultimately resulting in a turnover in downs. On Dayton’s final drive, he had a hand in a sack that pushed Dayton back after they found the red zone, helping kill the momentum on a drive that saw Dayton fail to score in the final seconds.

Others Nominated

• Ca’ron Coleman, Safety, Dayton: Had a team-best 13 tackles (four solo) in a loss to St. Thomas.
• Holden Hughes, Cornerback, Drake: His interception with 4:35 left helped secure a win at Morehead State.
• Jeremiah Jackson, Linebacker, Butler: Posted 2.5 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks, as part of a six-tackle (four solo) effort in a win against Presbyterian.
• Carter Gaskins, Linebacker, Stetson: Forced a fumble at the goal line and had a team-leading 15 tackles (two solo) in a loss at Marist.
• Julian Rawlings, Linebacker, Davidson: Recorded 1.5 sacks as part of a five-tackle effort in a win against San Diego.
• Bradley Russ-Martin, Defensive Back, Presbyterian: Had seven tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup in a loss at Butler.
• Isaiah Smith, Cornerback, Marist: Intercepted a fourth-quarter pass and had six tackles in a win against Stetson.

Special Teams

Chase Gardi, Marist (Junior (RS)., Kicker, Garden City, New York)

Gardi scored 10 points, including the game’s final six points, as Marist outlasted Stetson for a 34-24 PFL victory Saturday. He converted each of his four PATs, but with Marist holding on to a 28-24 lead, he hit a 30-yard field goal with 4:28 remaining in the third quarter. Gardi extended that lead to 10 points with a 20-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

Others Nominated

• Jashon Butler, Return Specialist, Valparaiso: Had kick returns of 60 and 61 yards in a win against Southwest Minnesota State.
• Gavin Lochow, Wide Receiver, Dayton: Returned two kickoffs for 111 total yards in a loss to St. Thomas.
• Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback, Stetson: Returned three kickoffs for 102 total yards, including a 52-yard return, in a loss at Marist.
• Mack Mikko, Kicker, Presbyterian: Connected on a 44-yard field goal and two PATs in a loss at Butler.
• Adam Zouagui, Kicker, Davidson: Connected on field goals of 22 and 25 yards and was a perfect 7-of-7 on PATs for 13 points in a win against San Diego.