SLU’s Kelley, McNeese pair named LSWA college football players of the week

BATON ROUGE – The voting for this Monday’s Louisiana Sports Writers Association state college players of the week went to players from Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese State.

On offense, the choice for the second time was Cole Kelly, the senior Lion quarterback from Lafayette. Kelley threw for 444 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-10 road win at Central Connecticut State.

McNeese took both the defensive and special teams honor. Corione Harris was the defensive star in Saturday’s 31-24 win at Southern. He had an important third quarter sack that set up a McNeese interception and later recorded a fumble that led to a field goal.

Pierce tied a school, conference and NCAA record with a 100-yard kickoff return on the opening kick of the game for the Cowboys. It was the first time in school history, McNeese opened the game with return for touchdown.

Here are the capsules on the winners:

OFFENSE
COLE KELLEY – SOUTHEASTERN – QB, Sr., Lafayette, La.
Kelley was the leader of a Southeastern offense that finished with 577 total yards, 31 first downs and did not attempt a punt in a 56-10 road win at Central Connecticut State. The reigning Walter Payton Award winner threw for 444 yards and tied a career-high with four touchdown passes, while also rushing for another score. Under his direction, the Lions have scored 40 or more points in seven straight games.

DEFENSE
CORIONE HARRIS – MCNEESE – DB – Sr., New Orleans, La.
Harris came up big when needed in Saturday’s 31-24 win over Southern… his sack in the third quarter led to a Cowboy interception and then a touchdown to pull McNeese to within 21-17… then recovered a fumble early in the 4th quarter that resulted in a field goal and a 10-point McNeese lead.

SPECIAL TEAM
MASON PIERCE – MCNEESE – KR, So., Pearland, Texas
Tied a school, conference and NCAA record with a 100-yard kickoff return on the opening kick of the game… it’s the first time in school history McNeese opened the game with a KOR for a touchdown… averaged 55.5 yards per return for the night.

WEEK 1 WINNERS – Cole Kelley, Southeastern; Trey Baldwin, LA Tech; Garrett Urban, Grambling.
WEEK 2 WINNERS – Lindsey Scott, Nicholls; BeeJay Williamson, LA Tech; Cade York, LSU.
WEEK 3 WINNERS – Cole Kelley, Southeastern; Corione Harris, McNeese; Mason Pierce, McNeese.