Senior, Quarterback
Avon Lake, Ohio

Pappas threw a career-high five touchdowns in Morehead State’s 62-9 victory against Point University (Ga.), Saturday. He completed 29-of-45 passes for 286 yards in 41:17 of game time and had a reception on a batted pass that he carried for four yards and a first down to keep alive a scoring drive. Pappas threw the game’s first four touchdowns, connecting from 20, 11, 18, and 21 yards before later adding a third-quarter touchdown throw with 3:43 remaining in the game to end his outing. He completed passes to 11 different receivers in the outing and connected on touchdown passes to four different receivers.

Others Nominated: Bret Bushka (Jr., QB, Butler); Jack Cook (Sr., QB, Dayton); Colin Howard (Jr., WR, Drake); Kiaran Turner (Sr., WR, Presbyterian); Vance Jefferson (Fr., WR, San Diego); Jalen Leary (RSo., RB, Stetson).

Brandon Easterling, Dayton
Senior, Safety
Fairborn, Ohio

Easterling led Dayton with eight tackles and his forced fumble early in the third quarter helped Dayton secure a 17-10 victory against Eastern Illinois, Saturday. On the first play from scrimmage following Dayton’s go-ahead scoring drive, Easterling forced a fumble from an EIU wide receiver and it was recovered by Dayton. The Flyers scored on the ensuing drive to extend their lead to 14-3. After Dayton forced a three-and-out on the next EIU drive following its second touchdown, Easterling returned the punt 29 yards to set Dayton up at the EIU 31-yard line, leading to a Dayton field goal for a 17-3 advantage. He also was credited with a half tackle for loss and had another tackle for no gain.

Johnson Fallah, St. Thomas
Junior, Defensive Back
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Fallah had an interception and three pass breakups to help St. Thomas secure its first win as a Division I program, 12-9 at Michigan Tech, Saturday. On the drive following St. Thomas’ go-ahead field goal, Fallah broke up a pass on the drive’s first play then ended the drive with an interception inside the St. Thomas 20-yard line with under one minute remaining in the game and St. Thomas ran out the clock for the win. Earlier in the game, he had a pass breakup on third down inside St. Thomas territory to help end a potential scoring drive. Fallah also had five tackles (three solo) in the win.

Others Nominated: Devin Aguilar (Sr., CB, Butler); Jonathan Hammond (So., DL, Davidson); Alex Rogers (5th Yr., S, Drake); Vaughn Taylor Jr. (Sr., DE, Morehead State); Jayden Martin (RFr., DB, Presbyterian); Michael Hawkins (Sr., CB, San Diego); Alex Villas (RFr., DB, Stetson); Kohlton Sherman (Sr., DB, Valparaiso).

Sophomore, Place Kicker
St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Hyde’s 32-yard field goal with 59 seconds remaining gave St. Thomas the only lead it would need in a 12-9 victory at Michigan Tech, Saturday. Earlier in the game Hyde also hit a 33-yard field goal for St. Thomas’ first points. His six points kicker were the Tommies only offensive points in the contest, their lone touchdown came courtesy a punt blocked, recovered and returned to the end zone for the game-tying score.

Others Nominated: Brandon Easterling (Sr., S, Dayton); Andrew Foster (Grad., K/P, Morehead State); Matt Clements (RJr., P, Stetson); Ben Niesner (RSr., P, Valparaiso).