Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Trojan Duo Honored by Sun Belt Conference
9/13/2010 4:02:06 PM | Football
Jernigan and Massaquoi recognized as Players of the Week
SUN BELT RELEASE
A pair of Troy University football players were recognized by the Sun Belt Conference on Monday for their efforts in the Trojans' game at Oklahoma State.
Senior Jerrel Jernigan was named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week while sophomore defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi was named co-Defensive Player of the Week, sharing the honor with Maurice Rolle of UL Lafayette.
Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week.
Jernigan, a native of Eufaula, Ala., continued his assault on the Sun Belt Conference record book by becoming just the fourth player in league history to return a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. His return came late in the second quarter, giving the Trojans a 27-20 halftime lead at Oklahoma State.
Jernigan finished the game with 277 all-purpose yards which included 171 on three kickoff returns, 11 on one punt return, 87 on 10 receptions, including a 10-yard touchdown, and eight on two rush attempts. Jernigan moved past for MTSU star Desmond Gee into fifth place on the SBC career list with 4,362 career all-purpose yards. The senior needs just 870 more yards to surpass Tyrell Fenroy for the league record.
His 10 receptions in the game moved his up two spots on the league's all-time list, passing Johnny Quinn of North Texas and Mark Vincent of ULM. Jernigan is just six receptions shy of 200 in his career and needs just 36 more receptions to become the all-time league leader. He is also just 286 receiving yards shy of becoming the Sun Belt's all-time leader in that category.
The player of the week award for Jernigan is his first since earning Offensive Player of the Week honors in 2008 for his performance against FIU.
Massaquoi, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., was a one-man wrecking crew for the Trojans against Oklahoma State. He was credited with eight total tackles (seven solo), which included two stops for losses, one of which was a sack. He forced a fumble on that sack and recovered a fumble on another play, his second recovery in as many games.
The Trojans return to practice today in preparation for their battle this weekend against in-state rival UAB at Legion Field. The game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff and will not be televised.
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