The Sports Inquirer

Release from the Big South Conference:

Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum (Roanoke, Va.) has been named the Choice Hotels Big South Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Monmouth defensive lineman Dimitrius Smith (Millstone, N.J.) has been selected as the Defensive Player of the Week for games played the third week of the regular season.  Coastal Carolina kick returner Devin Brown (Charleston, S.C.) is the Special Teams Player of the Week and Monmouth quarterback Cody Williams (Springfield, Mass.) is The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week.

Woodrum was 16-of-30 passing for 260 yards and two touchdowns in leading Liberty to a 31-21, wire-to-wire victory over No. 7/8-ranked Montana.  His two TD strikes gave the Flames an early 14-0 lead as he connected on a four-yard pass to Desmond Rice and followed with a 72-yard throw to Dante Shells.  Woodrum averaged 16.25 yards per completion, posted a 148.13 passing efficiency, had seven completions go for at least 10 yards, did not commit a turnover, and directed the Flames’ offense to a 36:13-to-23:47 edge in time of possession.

Smith dominated Wagner up front with five tackles (four solo), three tackles-for-loss, one sack and two fumble recoveries in Monmouth’s 31-16 victory.  Smith was part of the Hawks’ defensive effort that kept Wagner out of the end zone until the final minute of the game.  Two of his three TFLs created third-and-long situations, and his second fumble recovery led to a Monmouth touchdown on the ensuing drive.

Brown had five kickoff returns for 195 yards (39.0 average) and a touchdown in Coastal Carolina’s win over Western Illinois.  After WIU went ahead 14-10 in the the third quarter, Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to put the Chants back in the lead.  Later in the game, his 46-yard kickoff return setup Coastal’s final score and the eventual 34-27 margin.

Williams went 23-of-34 passing for 243 yards and one touchdown to lead Monmouth to its first victory of the season.  His second quarter touchdown strike put the Hawks ahead, 14-3, and he finished the day with 259 yards of total offense and a 137.39 passing efficiency with no turnovers.  Williams had four pass plays longer than 20 yards and completed five consecutive passes twice during the evening.