BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas A&M senior cornerback Deshazor Everett earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors on Monday after posting a career-high 16 tackles in the Aggies’ win over Arkansas last weekend.
With the win, the Aggies improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2001 and became the first SEC team to reach five wins in 2014. The Aggies, ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press Top 25, will take on No. 12 Mississippi State on Saturday in Starkville, Miss., in a nationally-televised game.
It was the first career SEC weekly honor for Everett, who was a preseason All-SEC selection, and it was the first conference Defensive POW honor for an Aggie since Tony Jerod-Eddie earned Big 12 kudos on Sept. 6, 2011.
Everett, from Deridder, La., bettered his previous career high by four tackles while helping the Aggies to a 35-28 overtime victory over the Razorbacks. Everett also contributed 1.5 tackles for loss of yardage (-3 yards) and combined with junior Julien Obioha on the game-winning tackle of Hog RB Alex Collins on fourth and one in the first overtime period.
SEC Players of the Weeks (Sept. 29, 2014)
OFFENSE
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
· Gurley posted a career-high 208 rushing yards on 28 carries (7.4 avg.) and two touchdowns; named Athlon Sports National Player of the Week
· His rushing total today was the most by a Bulldog since 1992 when Garrison Hearst tallied 246 versus Vanderbilt, and the first to go over 200 since Verron Haynes went for 207 versus Ga. Tech in 2001.
· Gurley accounted for 285 all-purpose yards (208 Rush, 30 Rec., 47 KO Ret.) which ranks in a tie for third in school history.
· Gurley moved up to No. 2 in school history for Career All-Purpose Yards now with 3,961, trailing only Herschel Walker (5,749).
· Gurley had his 16th game with at least 100 yards rushing, tying him with Garrison Hearst at No. 2 in the school record books. Gurley now has 33 rushing touchdowns in his career and is tied for third on Georgia’s all-time list with Hearst.
DEFENSE
Deshazor Everett, DB, Texas A&M
· Led the Aggies with 16 total tackles that included 1.5 TFL for three yards of losses.
· Combined with defensive end Julian Obioha to stop Arkansas on a 4th and 1 in overtime to secure the win for Texas A&M.
· Everett is a defensive team captain as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Quan Bray, PR/WR, Auburn
· Returned two punts for 98 yards, including a 76 yarder for a touchdown, while catching three balls for 91 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-17 win over Louisiana Tech
· His 91 receiving yards, two receiving TDs and 189 all-purpose yards were all career-bests.
· Two scores in 1:13 time span early in fourth quarter broke open a 24-10 Auburn advantage to a 38-10 lead.
· First nationally in punt return average (36.8) and second in the country in punt returns for TD (2) this season.
· Just second player in school history to have two punt return touchdowns in the same season (Mike Fuller, 1974).
DEFENSIVE LINE
Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
· Keyed the Mizzou defense and its stellar effort which shut down a dangerous Gamecock offense in MU’s 21-20 comeback win. Ray ended the night with 8 tackles – all solo and 2 quarterback sacks, while being credited with a QB hurry as well.
· The 2-sack game was already the fourth of the season for Ray, who now ranks #1 in the NCAA in both QB sacks (1.6 p/g) and tackles for loss (2.3 p/g). His 8.0 total sacks is already just 3.5 behind the Mizzou single-season record of 11.5 established by both Michael Sam (2013) and Aldon Smith (2019).
· Mizzou’s defense held South Carolina’s offense to season-low totals in several categories, including points (20), yards (338), passing yards (219) and 1stdowns (18).
OFFENSIVE LINE
Darrian Miller, OT, Kentucky
· Graded at 89 percent in UK’s win over Vanderbilt.
· Credited with four knockdown blocks.
· Did not allow any sacks or QB pressures.
· Had no penalties or missed assignments.
FRESHMAN
Brandon Harris, QB, LSU
· Came off the bench to lead LSU to a 63-7 win over New Mexico State …Took over early in the second quarter with LSU holding a 14-0 lead.
· Led LSU to touchdowns on all seven possessions that he was quarterback and accounted for five TDs in the win … Became first true freshman in LSU history to throw 3 TDs passes in a game.
· Also rushed for 2 TDs to become the first true freshman in school history to account for 5 TDs in a game … Connected on 11-of-14 passes for 178 yards and 3 scores and rushed for 36 yards and 2 TDs vs. New Mexico State.
· Dating back to last week’s game vs. Mississippi State, has directed TD drives on 9 of his 10 possessions at quarterback.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics