This week's honorees are: CJ Harris (Ohio), Keye Thompson (Ohio), Cory Smigel (Akron), Samsom Evans (Eastern Michigan), Jose Ramirez (Eastern Michigan), Mitchell Tomasek (Eastern Michigan).
CJ Harris, Ohio, QB
R-So., West Bloomfield, Mich. (West Bloomfield)
In Harris' first career start, he lead the Bobcats to a 38-14 victory over Bowling Green, clinching the MAC East title and a spot in the championship game. The redshirt sophomore set personal records in every category, highlighted by passing yards (196), rushing yards (65) and touchdowns (4). Three of Harris' touchdowns were rushing and one was in the air.
MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week
Keye Thompson, Ohio, Linebacker
R-Senior, Barberton, Ohio (Barberton)
Thompson led the Bobcats' defense against Bowling Green in their 38-14 victory Tuesday night. The redshirt senior recorded 11 tackles, two of which were solo. He also led the team in assisted tackles (9) and recorded two quarterback hurries.
MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week
Cory Smigel, Akron, Kicker
R-Junior, North Royalton, Ohio
Akron redshirt junior K Cory Smigel played a key role in the Zips registering their first road victory over Northern Illinois since 1996 connecting on three field goals, while going a perfect 5-for-5 in PAT's. The triumph also marked Akron's first over the Huskies since an overtime triumph in the 2005 MAC title game. He opened the scoring for the Zips hitting a 33-yard FG in the second quarter before closing the half delivering a pair of PAT's and a 31-yd FG to give Akron a 20-6 halftime lead. He added a trio of second-half PAT's before rounding out the Zips' scoring efforts with a 31-yard FG in the fourth quarter. On the season, he has connected on seven FG's and 15 PAT's.
MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week
Samson Evans, Eastern Michigan, Running Back
Senior, Crystal Lake, Ill. (Prairie Ridge)
Senior running back Samson Evans had a historic performance for the Eagles in Eastern Michigan’s 38-19 win over Central Michigan, Friday, Nov. 25. The Illinois native scored his 27th career rushing touchdown to move into first place in Eastern Michigan program history in the category. He finished the contest with a team-best 143 yards on 23 carries, also recording a career-best 42-yard rush in the second half to extend an eventual Eagle touchdown drive. He has now rushed for 100+ yards in four contests this season. Evans' score against the Chippewas also moved the senior up to a third place tie on EMU all-time touchdowns list (rushing and receiving) with 27 TDs. With 1,084 yards on the ground this season, Evans is now the 14th EMU player to rush for a total of 1,000 yards or more in a single season. The senior’s current total is good for eighth all-time in single-season laurels at EMU.
MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan, Defensive End
Senior, Lake Alfred, Fla. (Auburndale)
Senior Jose Ramirez put together another outstanding day in the opponent’s backfield in Eastern Michigan’s 39-18 win over Central Michigan, Nov. 25. The lineman dropped CMU's quarterbacks 3.0 times, just one shy of his single-game high 4.0 he recorded at Western Michigan, Oct. 8, giving him 7.0 of his 12.0 sacks against Michigan MAC schools. His 12.0 sacks for 79-yards now brings Ramierz to first place in the nation and conference in total sacks. Furthermore, the Florida native’s performance in the Eagles’ victory now ranks the defensive end first in school history with 12.0 sacks in a single season. Ramirez now sits in second place in program history for career sacks with 20.5. The graduate student is only the fourth player since 1998 to record double-digit sacks in a single season for Eastern Michigan.
MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week
Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan, Punter
Sophomore, Columbus, Ohio (Worthington Kilbourne)
Sophomore punter Mitchell Tomasek had another strong outing for Eastern Michigan in the Eagles’ 38-19 win over Central Michigan, Friday, Nov. 25. With four punts on the afternoon, the Columbus-native pinned the Chippeweas inside their own 20 twice and tallied a total of 184 yards. Tomasek averaged a total of 46 yards per punt against Central, with his longest of the afternoon coming in at 57 yards. His performance in the Eagles’ victory brought his season total to 44.31 yards per punt to remain at first place in the conference. The sophomore has a total of 1,994 yards on 45 total punts this season.