Tusculum’s Russell, Wingate’s Doughy, Newberry’s McIlwain Named Football Players Of The Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The South Atlantic Conference Football Players of the Week have been announced for the week ending Oct. 4, 2008. Tusculum quarterback Corey Russell was named the SAC Offensive Player of the Week, while Wingate linebacker Ed Doughty was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week. Newberry defensive back Kamaal McIlwain was named the SAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Russell, a 6-4, 190-pound senior from Speedwell, Tenn., passed for 375 yards and four touchdowns in Tusculum's 48-19 road win at Lenoir-Rhyne. Russell went 20-for-35 while matching a career-best with his four TD passes. This marks the third time this season Russell has been named the SAC Offensive Player of the Week.

Corey Russell

Ed Doughty

Kamaal McIlwain

Doughty, a 6-2, 215-pound sophomore from Jacksonville, Fla., recorded seven tackles, including two-and-a-half sacks in 18th-ranked Wingate's 44-13 win at Brevard. Doughty finished with four solo stops as the Bulldogs held the Tornados to 181 yards of total offense, including just 23 passing yards.

McIlwain, a 5-10, 175-pound sophomore from Fort Mill, S.C., blocked two extra points in Newberry's 33-14 victory over 20th-ranked Catawba. One of those blocked kicks was returned for a defensive PAT. In the game, McIlwain tallied three tackles and broke two passes in NC's second straight victory over a nationally-ranked opponent.

The South Atlantic Conference Football Players of the Week are selected by a vote of the league's sports information directors.