After opening up Mid-American Conference play with a 24-21 win against Kent State Saturday, two Central Michigan players earned MAC West Division Player of the Week awards.
With two blocked field goal attempts, defensive end Daniel Bazuin was named MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. Both blocks came in the fourth quarter, the first a 23-yard chip with 9:41 remaining and the second a 35-yard try that would have tied the game with only 35 seconds left to play.
We knew it was coming down to one play. I was just trying to get in the right frame of mind and get pressure
Bazuin said. I knew if I got penetration I could get my hand on the ball.
In addition to his game-saving block, Bazuin had a sack for a six-yard loss and seven tackles.
Chippewa safety James King was named MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week for his 13 tackles -eight solo and five assisted. King also broke up a pass.
Chippewa coach Brian Kelly attributed King's success to his move off the line of scrimmage.
He operates a lot better with space Kelly said. It gives a guy like James King a chance to make more athletic plays
and that's what he did on Saturday.
Freshman QB shines
The first true freshman to start at quarterback since Ball State joined the MAC in 1975, Cole Stinson made his starting debut on the road in a 52-14 loss to the Toledo Rockets Saturday.
Although the Cardinals' overall performance was less than stellar, Stinson completed 17-of-29 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown. Stinson first proved himself a week earlier, when he came off the bench to relieve quarterback Joey Lynch and threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-14 victory against Western Michigan.
For a kid just coming in there his first start
I thought he did a good job
Ball State head coach Brady Hoke said. There are throws he'd like to have back
throws I'd like him to have back
but Cole is the least of our problems as a football team.
Stinson relied heavily on wide receiver Dante Ridgeway, who is now tied for Ball State's record of seven career 100-yard receiving games. Ridgeway caught 10 passes for 144 yards against Toledo.
There is a mutual respect about his ability and their (Ball State wide receivers) ability
Hoke said. Throwing the ball to Dante is a plus for him
and I think the way Cole can throw the ball is a plus for Dante.
Louisville players sweep MAC honors
Louisville teammates Jessica Javelet and Kimberly Hughes were named MAC Offensive and Defensive Field Hockey Players of the Week, respectively.
Javelet, a sophomore forward, was awarded MAC Player of the Week honors for the second time this year by notching three goals and two assists this week, including a hat trick in a 3-1 win against Kent State. She also leads the team in scoring with nine goals and 31 points in the first 12 games of the season.
Hughes, a senior back, also tallied two assists and had a hat trick this week in a 6-1 victory against Ohio. She is second on the Louisville list for career assists with 17 and third in scoring this season.
