MAC names Week Two POTW

The Mid-Amreican Conference announced its Week Two football Players of the Week Monday.
East Division POTW are: Matt Johnson (Bowling Green), Nathan Carpenter (Ohio) and Joseph Davidson (Bowling Green).
West Division POTW are: Phillip Ely (Toledo), Cheatham Norrils (Toledo) and Brendan Renius (Eastern Michigan).

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East Division

Offensive Player of the Week:  Bowling Green QB Matt Johnson
Bowling Green senior quarterback Matt Johnson (Johnstown, Pa.) threw for a career-high 491 yards on Saturday as the Falcons defeated Maryland on the road, 48-27. Johnson now leads the country after two weeks with 915 yards passing and is second with eight touchdowns. His 491 yards were the second-most in school history for a single game, and his six passing touchdowns tied the school record. The victory over Maryland marked the Falcons’ second straight season that they have defeated a Big Ten Conference program. It was BGSU’s first road win over a power five program since 2008.

Defensive Player of the Week:  Ohio S Nathan Carpenter
Ohio senior safety Nathan Carpenter (Lancaster, Ohio) had four total tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception as the Bobcats defense held Marshall to a season low 263 yards of total offense in a 21-10 victory. Carpenter made his interception late in the game to end the final Marshall scoring drive and seal the game for the Bobcats with 22-seconds left in the game. His fumble recovery came at the end of the third quarter stopped a Marshall drive as the Bobcats led 14-10. 

Special Teams Player of the Week:  Bowling Green P Joseph Davidson
Bowling Green sophomore punter Joseph Davidson (Findlay, Ohio) punted three times in a 48-27 win at Maryland, averaging 50.0 yards per punt. His long of the day was a 56-yard boom, which caused Maryland’s dangerous Will Likely to retreat and attempt an over-the-shoulder grab deep in their own territory. The ball ricocheted off Likely and was recovered by Bowling Green’s Alfonso Mack at the Maryland 14-yard line, leading to a big Falcons touchdown.

West Division

Offensive Player of the Week:  Toledo QB Phillip Ely
Toledo senior quarterback Phillip Ely (Tampa, Fla.) completed 21-of-38 passes for 237 yards and one TD in 16-12 upset over No. 18 ranked Arkansas.  Ely did not throw an interception and was not sacked. He also converted seven third-down passes in the road victory.

Defensive Player of the Week:  Toledo DB Cheatham Norrils
Toledo senior defensive back Cheatham Norrils (Toledo, Ohio) had eight tackles and a career-best three pass breakups, including two in the final two minutes of Toledo's 16-12 victory over No. 18 ranked Arkansas. Norrils was playing in his first official game since missing a year of football due to a viral illness.

Special Teams Player of the Week:  Eastern Michigan K Brendan Renius
Eastern Michigan junior kicker Brendan Renius (Lambertville, Mich.) had a special day kicking off in Eastern Michigan’s 48-29 road win at Wyoming.  All eight of his kickoffs went for touchbacks, totaling 520 yards.  He also attempted an onside kick in the first quarter following an Eastern Michigan touchdown, which he recovered himself after the ball traveled 10 yards.  It was the first successful onside kick recovery for the Eagles since 2007.  The ensuing drive led to a touchdown, putting the Eagles up 21-7 in the contest.