Sunday, November 12, 2023

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Pioneer Football League announced its Players of the Week following Week 11 action with a trio of underclassmen picking up the week’s accolades. Morehead State freshman quarterback Bryce Patterson and sophomore defensive back Kaleb Lyons earned the league’s offensive and defensive awards, respectively. Meanwhile, Valparaiso freshman linebacker Max Samuel picked up the league’s special teams honor.

Offensive

Bryce Patterson, Morehead State (Freshman (RS), Quarterback, Versailles, Kentucky)

Making his first career start, Patterson threw six touchdowns to lead Morehead State’s  47-17 PFL victory against Davidson, Saturday. The six touchdown throws are tied for most in the FCS and are the most by a PFL quarterback this season. Patterson needed just 10 completions for his six touchdowns and passed for 240 yards. Each of his six touchdowns went for 25-plus yards, including three throws to wide receiver Ryan Upp.

Others Nominated

• Luke Hansen, Dayton (Freshman, Running Back, Indianapolis, Ind.) rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries against Marist.
• Ryan Mann, Valparaiso (Sophomore, Running Back, Vernon Hills, Ill.) carried the ball 25 times for 121 yards and a touchdown against Stetson.
• Hope Adebayo, St. Thomas (Junior, Running Back, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) rushed for the game-winning touchdown in overtime at San Diego, finishing the game with nine carries for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
• Matt Stianche, Marist (Junior (RS), Wide Receiver, Northampton, Pa.) had seven receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown against Dayton.
• Dorian Boyland, Drake (Junior, Running Back, Muskego, Wis.) finished with 21 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown against Presbyterian.

Defensive

Kaleb Lyons, Morehead State (Sophomore, Defensive Back, Antioch, Tennessee)

Lyons picked off three passes, tying the PFL single-game record, to help Morehead State defeat Davidson 47-17 Saturday. His first two interceptions came deep in Davidson territory in the second quarter and helped set up Morehead State touchdowns in a 26-point quarter. Lyons nabbed his third interception in the fourth quarter just on the MSU side of the field and led to the Eagles’ final touchdown. He also had four tackles, including a sack to force a Davidson punt in the second quarter.

Others Nominated

• Nathan Arthur, Dayton (Senior, Linebacker, Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded 14 tackles (seven solo) with two tackles for loss, including a sack, as part of a defensive effort that held Marist to six points.
• Bradley Russ-Martin (Junior, Defensive Back, Travelers Rest, S.C.) picked off a pass and blocked a field goal – both in the first half – and had three tackles as part of a defensive unit that held Drake without a touchdown for more than 50 minutes.
• Evan Annis, Valparaiso (Senior (RS), Linebacker, Seattle, Wash.) had a key sack in overtime as part of a nine-tackle effort that included 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks against Stetson.
• Finn Claypool, Drake (Sophomore (RS), Defensive Lineman, Des Moines, Iowa) had five tackles for loss, including three sacks, as part of an eight-tackle outing against Presbyterian.

Special Teams

Max Samuel, Valparaiso (Freshman, Linebacker, Edina, Minnesota)

Samuel became the eighth FCS player to block two kicks in a game, helping Valparaiso claim a 23-20 overtime victory against Stetson Saturday. He blocked a punt in the first quarter that Valparaiso recovered in the end zone for its first touchdown. Samuel blocked another punt in the fourth quarter, which the Beacons recovered and returned 51 yards to set up a go-ahead touchdown.

Others Nominated

• Logan Forcum, Dayton (Freshman (RS), Punter, Cincinnati, Ohio) averaged 43.7 yards on three punts with a career-best 53-yard punt and saw two downed inside the 20-yard line against Marist.
• Max Samuel, Valparaiso (Freshman, Linebacker, Edina, Minn.) blocked two punts, both leading to quick Valparaiso touchdowns, becoming the eighth FCS player with two blocked kicks in a game this season.
• Shane Dunning, Drake (Senior, Kicker/Punter, Muskego, Wis.) was responsible for 10 points against Presbyterian, making 3-for-4 field goals and an extra point. He also averaged 33.0 yards on five punts, with one downed inside the 20-yard line.