FOOTBALL: Tennessee’s Guarantano, Carson-Newman’s Peebles earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s Jarrett Guarantano and Carson-Newman’s Rondrow Peebles were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from November 17-23.
Guarantano completed 23-of-40 passes for a career-best 415 yards and two touchdowns. Seven receivers caught passes in the win at Missouri, including three players with 100-plus yards for the first time in program history. He moved into eighth on the all-time passing list with the Vols with 4,721 yards, surpassing UT assistant coach Tee Martin.
Guarantano has completed 61 percent of his throws for 1,817 yards and 15 touchdowns in 11 games this season.
Peebles posted eight tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in a 17-9 win at 11th-ranked Bowie State in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Knoxville, Tenn., native helped the Eagles’ defense hold BSU to 0-for-5 in the red zone, forcing a pair of turnovers, along with a season-low in points. He collected two sacks and another tackle for loss in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles halted Bowie State's 11-game winning streak overall and its nine-game home winning streak. Carson-Newman ended a four-game road playoff losing streak and a four-game road losing streak to ranked teams. Bowie State was the highest ranked team the Eagles have beaten since defeating No. 5 North Alabama in the playoffs in 2009. That contest represents one of now three road playoff victories for Carson-Newman since moving to Division II.
Peebles leads the Eagles with 86 total tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks while adding four quarterback hurries.
2019 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 4 – Bailey Fisher, Tennessee Tech (Offense); Wanya Moton, UT Martin (Defense)
September 10 – Asher O’Hara, Middle Tennessee (Offense); Rondrow Peebles, Carson-Newman (Defense)
September 17 – Jacob Bunch, Maryville College (Offense); Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay (Defense)
September 25 – Bailey Fisher, Tennessee Tech (Offense); Wesley Porter, University of the South (Defense)
October 2 – JaVaughn Craig, Austin Peay (Offense); Darius Williams, Carson-Newman (Defense)
October 9 – Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis (Offense); Jovante Moffat, Middle Tennessee (Defense)
October 16 – John Bachus III, UT Martin (Offense); TJ Jefferson, UT Martin (Defense)
October 22 – Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis (Offense); Trenton Cumby, Maryville College (Defense)
October 30 – JaVaughn Craig, Austin Peay (Offense); Wycleff Phanor, Carson-Newman (Defense)
November 5 – Antonio Gibson, Memphis (Offense); Cecil Cherry, UT Martin (Defense)
November 13 – Bailey Fisher, Tennessee Tech (Offense); Dee Alford, Tusculum University (Defense)
November 19 – Brady White, Memphis (Offense); Trayzel Jureidini-Wyche, Carson-Newman (Defense)
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Memphis’ Achiuwa earns TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Memphis freshman Precious Achiuwa was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, registering 20.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in two victories for the Tigers.
The Queens, N.Y., native posted 16 points and 12 boards versus Little Rock, hitting 6-of-13 shots while adding two assists and two steals. He netted 13 of his 16 points and grabbed nine of his 12 caroms after halftime against the Trojans.
Achiuwa collected a season-best 25 points with 11 rebounds and three steals versus Ole Miss, tallying nine points in a 19-8 spurt to begin the second half. He is averaging 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in six games this season for Memphis.
2019-20 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 13 – Jordan Floyd, King University
November 19 – Adam Kunkel, Belmont
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Savage named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Charity Savage garnered Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades, averaging 12.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in two wins for the Blue Raiders.
The Memphis, Tenn., native recorded 18 points and 10 boards against Tennessee Tech, hitting 7-of-12 shots and 3-for-6 at the foul line. The senior followed that with seven points, 13 rebounds and three assists versus Furman, becoming the first player in program history to record double-figure rebounds in five consecutive games to begin the season.
Savage is averaging 10.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game through five contests this season.
2019-20 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 13 – Jaelencia Williams, Union University
November 19 – Kayla Marosites, Carson-Newman