VIDEO: De'Andre Thomas Interview
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman quarterback De'Andre Thomas has been tabbed the Tennessee Sportswriters Association's Offensive Player of the Week.
Thomas becomes C-N's first TSWA honoree since Jaycob Coleman turned in a 17-tackle performance against Tusculum on homecoming last season to earn defensive player of the week honors.
It's been a busy week for Thomas on the awards circuit this week. He also earned AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week accolades and Bojangles' Male Athlete of the Week honors from Carson-Newman.
Thomas accounted for all five of the Eagles' touchdowns in a 35-33 road win over Catawba College. The Milledgeville, Ga., native rushed 17 times for 104 yards and a career-best four TDs, including scoring runs of three, 14, one and five yards. The junior also completed 11-of-16 passes for 173 with a 30-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game-winner with 6:31 remaining in the contest.
Saturday's game at Catawba marked Thomas' ninth career game with multiple rushing touchdowns and his fourth with three or more. With the four scores, he moves into a tie for ninth with Nate Inman on C-N's career rushing touchdowns list with 29.
He crested the century mark on the ground for a fourth time (the Eagles are 4-0 all-time when he goes over the 100-yard plateau).
His five total touchdowns match the career high five he scored (three rushing, two passing) in the Eagles' regular season finale at Wingate last season.
The defensive player of the week award went to Middle Tennessee State's junior safety David Washington.
TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 4 – Austin Grammer, Middle Tennessee (Offense); Bobby McCain, University of Memphis (Defense)
September 9 – Paxton Lynch, University of Memphis (Offense); Tank Jakes, University of Memphis (Defense)
September 16 – Austin Grammer, Middle Tennessee (Offense); De'Ante Saunders, Tennessee State (Defense)
September 23 – Malcolm Pendergrass, Tusculum College (Offense); Tank Jakes, University of Memphis (Defense)
