NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the vast majority of the state’s colleges and universities hit the gridiron for the first time this season, there were some fantastic performances on the field as the Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced its weekly College Sports Players of the Week, based on the games between August 28 and September 3.
FOOTBALL: Redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton III made the most of his first start of the season as he compiled 234 yards of total offense and four combined touchdowns as Tennessee opened up the season with a 49-13 victory over Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. In all, Milton completed 21-of-30 passes for 201 yards and two passing scores, then rushed for 33 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. He became the first Tennessee player to record two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns since Hendon Hooker last season against Ball State, and was the first Vol to accomplish the feat against a Power 5 opponent since Joshua Dobbs ran for two scores and passed for three against Missouri in 2016.
On the defensive side of the ball, Carson-Newman sophomore linebacker Jake Cottle anchored an Eagle defense to a decisive effort, shutting Virginia-Lynchburg down to just 75 yards in the contest – the third-fewest in C-N history – and just one first down in the second half. Cottle ended the game with eight tackles as well as 1.5 sacks for 10 yards and a pass breakup in the contest.
MEN’S SOCCER: Lipscomb sophomore Malachi Jones got the Bisons off in a hurry as he scored the opening goal against No. 15 Saint Louis in the 15th minute en route to a 2-1 victory in Nashville. Jones also picked up assists on both goals against Charlotte, feeding Javanne Smith on the opening score, then setting up Tyrese Spicer’s game-tying goal in the 85th minute with Nick Dang as Lipscomb drew the 49ers 2-2.
WOMEN’S SOCCER: Chattanooga sophomore forward Caroline Richvalsky had a fantastic week for the Mocs as she finished with nine points last week with four goals and an assist. Richvalsky scored the game-winner as Chattanooga downed Austin Peay 4-1 Thursday night, then she picked up the hat trick against Jacksonville State in a 3-1 victory on Sunday. The hat trick was the first for a Chattanooga player since 2017. Richvalsky led the team in shots taken (12) and shots on goal (6) for the week.
VOLLEYBALL: Austin Peay graduate right-side hitter Mikayla Powell had a strong weekend at the Lindenwood Invitational as the Govs won all three matches. In the opener against the host Lions, Powell had 18 kills. Later that day against Indiana State, she had 24 kills, eight digs and five blocks. She saved the best for last as Powell became just the second Division I player to record 30 kills this season on Saturday as she collected 30 kills with a .456 attack percentage, while also picking up 15 digs for the double-double. Powell is the fourth Austin Peay player to reach the 30-kill milestone and the first since 2012.
2023-24 TSWA College Sports Players of the Week
FOOTBALL
8/29 | Offensive: A.J. Swann (Vanderbilt), Defensive: De’Rickey Wright (Vanderbilt)
9/5 | Offensive: Joe Milton III (Tennessee), Defensive: Jake Cottle (Carson-Newman)MEN’S SOCCER
8/29 | Brock Kiper (Belmont)
9/5 | Malachi Jones (Lipscomb)WOMEN’S SOCCER
8/29 | Eleanor Gough (Middle Tennessee)
9/5 | Caroline Richvalsky (Chattanooga)VOLLEYBALL
8/29 | Laure Jansen (Middle Tennessee)
9/5 | Mikayla Powell (Austin Peay)
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