Two Cougars earn FB Player of Week honors

by | Nov 9, 2018 | Headlines, RRSN News | 0 comments

USF sophomore QB MSFA MEL Player of the Week

FINDLAY, Ohio — University of Saint Francis place-kicker Gavin Gardner kicked his way into Cougars’ record book on Saturday and on Monday was rewarded with his second Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Special Teams Player of the Week honor this season.

Gardner’s second field goal of the game at Taylor University for 46 yards broke the record set by Ryan Nix at the 2016 NAIA Championship Game against Baker University — 44 yards. It was Gardner’s second field goal of the game.

At the end of the first half the Van Wert, Ohio, native connected on a 42-yard field goal increasing the USF lead to 23-7.

This is Gardner’s third career POTW honor tying Kollin Carman for most honors by a USF kicker. The 46-yard field goal was his 11th this season and with 19 career field goals, Gardner is No. 3 on the USF career list.

Gardner in NAIA Top 50 stats

  • No. 8 in Total Field Goals (11)
  • No. 8 in Total Scoring (Kicking) (73)
  • No. 13 in Field Goals (1.100)
  • No. 15 in Scoring (Kicking) per Game (7.300)
  • No. 17 in Field Goals Pct (0.786)
  • No. 31 in Pat Kicking Pct (0.952)

USF sophomore QB MSFA MEL Player of the Week

FINDLAY, Ohio — University of Saint Francis quarterback Matt Crable was a dual threat running and passing in USF’s 40-20 win at Taylor University and his results were rewarded on with the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Player of the Week award.

Crable accounted for four touchdowns — two rushing and two passing — to lead the then No. 9 Cougars to their fourth consecutive win and the programs’ 18th 8-or-more win season in the last 20 AND the win that moved Head Coach Kevin Donley ahead of Bear Bryant on the collegiate coaching career wins list with 324.

The Cincinnati Moeller High School graduate ran for TDs of 43 and four yards as well as a 49-yard run. Crable finished with 96 yards rushing, most by a USF QB since Jeff Wedding finished with 117 at Malone in 2007. It was the second time in three games that Crable led USF in rushing. He also became just the third USF QB to rush for two TDs and throw for two TDs in the same game. Shaine Tierney was the last to do it in a  33-21 win at Taylor on Nov. 13, 2010. Tierney did it twice .

Crable threw for TDs of seven and 14 yards and finished with 265 yards on 21-for-31 passing. He tied his season best for total offense (rushing + passing) with 361 yards.

This Crable’s first POTW honor. He is the 11th different USF quarterback to be named MSFA MEL Player of the Week at least once during their career for the Cougars.

Crable in NAIA Top 50 rankings:

No. 11 in Pass Efficiency (154.000)
No. 20 in Total Total Offense (2,360)
No. 21 in Total Passing (2,105)
No. 28 in Total Offense Yds per Game (236.0)
No. 30 in Passing Yds per Game (210.5)

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of S

Related Stories

Student Advisory Committee Grant Recipients Announced by IHSAA

Student Advisory Committee Grant Recipients Announced The IHSAA Foundation is proud to announce that seven member schools have been selected to receive a $1,000 grant to support efforts to start or enhance a Student Advisory Committee (SAC). Recipients of the grant...

Crossroads League Announces Men’s Golf Award Winners

Crossroads League Announces Men’s Golf Award Winners   JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League announced its 2024-2025 Men’s Golf All-League honors on Monday, following Marian’s third-straight team championship.   The Knights picked up seven postseason honors from...

Brody Whitaker Signs to Join Valpo Men’s Basketball Program

Brody Whitaker Signs to Join Valpo Men’s Basketball Program   The Valparaiso University men’s basketball program and head coach Roger Powell Jr. have announced the addition of Brody Whitaker (Green Castle, Ind. / Greencastle [UIndy / Marian]), a 6-foot-3 guard...

Grace’s men’s tennis season ends at NAIA tournament

Grace’s season ends at NAIA tournament MOBILE, Ala. - Another memorable season for Grace’s men’s tennis team reached its conclusion on Wednesday. The No. 14 seed Lancers lost to No. 3 Keiser 4-0 in the Second Round of the 2025 NAIA National Championships. Grace was...

Holy Cross falls at 2025 UTR NAIA Women’s Tennis National Championship

2025 UTR NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship Recap - Day Two May 14, 2025 MOBILE, Ala. - [Bracket | Schedule] Round two of the 2025 UTR NAIA Women’s Tennis National Tournament ended with half of the tournament field ending in a 4-0 sweep at the Mobile Tennis...