Two University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football student-athletes were named Southern Conference Players of the Week, following the Mocs' 41-21 win over Samford on Saturday. Seniors Derrick Craine and Henrique Ribeiro both earned recognition from the league office announced today.
Craine rushed for a career-high 222 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns in the win. His 222 yards was the third-highest single-game total in school history and the most by anyone at the FCS level this season.
The senior from McDonough, Ga., was especially efficient in the second half, carrying 14 times for 194 yards after intermission. He added two receptions for nine yards in the win. Craine leads the Southern Conference and ranks 10th nationally with 114.3 yards per game. With Saturday's performance, he moved into eighth place on the school's all-time rushing list and now has 2,371 yards for his career.
On a national scale, Craine earned Honorable Mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards. He is also up for the American Sports Network FCS #GameChanger Award. Fan voting for this weekly honor takes place here and runs through Thursday. Both Craine and Ribeiro earned honorable mention honors from STATS.
Ribeiro turned in a strong all-around performance for the Mocs on Saturday and was rewarded with his seventh career SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week honor. That is one shy of the league record set by former Appalachian State kicker Sam Martin (2008-12).
Ribeiro made both field goal attempts, including a career-long of 48. With 11 points Saturday, Ribeiro moved into second place on UTC's all-time scoring list with 246. The senior punted three times against the Bulldogs and also kicked off eight times, averaging 61.6 yards per kick.
SouthernPigskin.com also had the same player of the week winners for the SoCon, but added juniorDale Warren as its defensive selection. Warren led the Mocs with 10 tackles and 2.0 sacks in the win.
The Mocs are on the road this weekend at ETSU. Seats still remain for the Fan Bus going to Johnson City on Saturday. Cost is $50, which includes the seat on the bus, pregame tailgate and ticket to the game. Fans can also buy just tickets to the tailgate for $10. Details and sign up here.
The next home game is Homecoming against Mercer on Oct. 8. Tickets are on sale now onGoMocs.com, including Mini Plans for the last three home games of the season.