LEX18.com - Lexington, KY

Posted: Nov 9, 2009 10:08 AM
Updated: Nov 9, 2009 10:09 AM

Great news for UK football.  Morgan Newton who made some throws we haven't seen before in games, took a big step forward and was named the SEC Freshman of the Week.

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

MORGAN NEWTON

Quarterback

KENTUCKY

6-4 • 217

Carmel, Ind. (HS)

• Newton completed 20-of-29 passes for 187 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in Kentucky's 37-12 win over Eastern Kentucky. All passing numbers are career highs.

• Newton guided the Wildcats into scoring territory on six of the seven possessions he played.

• Newton helped Kentucky generate 444 yards of total offense, even though the Wildcats' leading rusher and receiver did not play.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

RYAN MALLETT

Quarterback

ARKANSAS

6-7 • 238 • Sophomore

Texarkana, Ark. (Texas HS)

• Mallett guided the Razorbacks to a 33-16 victory over South Carolina, completing 23-of-27 passes for 329 yards with no interceptions and also had a one-yard rushing touchdown.

• His completion percentage of .852 set a school record (min. 20 attempts) and is tied for the fifth highest single-game performance in SEC history.

• With the game tied 10-10 at halftime, Mallett was 12-of-13 in the second half for 146 yards and helped the Razorbacks score touchdowns on three of four second half possessions.

• He threw for 300 yards for the third time in his career. The Gamecocks entered the game ranked third nationally in pass defense, allowing just 141 passing yards per game.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

JAVIER ARENAS

Cornerback

ALABAMA

5-9 • 195 • Senior

Tampa, Fla. (Robinson HS)

• Arenas registered seven total tackles (four solos), with two for losses (-8 yards) and a quarterback pressure in Alabama's 24-15 win against LSU.

• Alabama's defense held LSU to 253 total yards (95 rush / 158 pass) and 13 first downs. The Tide defense held the Tigers to 3-downs-and-out on six of 11 possessions (not including one play to run out clock).

• Arenas also returned three kickoffs for 78 yards and four punts for 11 yards.

• Arenas is now tied for second in the SEC with 10.5 tackles for losses this season and is third on the team with 52 total tackles (34 solos).

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

CHAS HENRY

Punter

FLORIDA

6-4 • 222 • Junior

Dallas, Ga. (East Paulding HS)

• Henry punted four times for 211 yards and a season-best 52.8 average in Florida's 27-3 win against Vanderbilt.

• He had three punts for over 50 yards, including two of 58 yards, giving him six punts of 50+ yards on the season.

• Vanderbilt's six-yard punt return in the first quarter was the first return allowed all season by Florida.

• Florida allowed Vanderbilt an average starting field position of its own 23-yard line. Florida leads the SEC in opponents' average starting field position this season (26 yard line).

• Henry is second in the SEC in percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line (36 percent / 9 of 25).

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK

AARON DOUGLAS

Tackle

TENNESSEE

6-6 • 282 • Freshman

Maryville, Tenn. (HS)

• Douglas made his sixth consecutive start at right tackle as Tennessee defeated Memphis, 56-28.

• The Vols compiled 566 yards of total offense, including 429 passing on 38 attempts with just one sack, while holding the ball for more than 32 minutes in the game.

• In 71 offensive plays, the Vols had just six lost rushing yards.

• The Vols are 4-2 since Douglas was moved into starting lineup.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK

MONTEZ ROBINSON

Defensive End

GEORGIA

6-5 • 250 • Freshman

Avon, Ind. (HS)

• Robinson accounted for a career-high five total tackles, with 2.5 for losses, including two sacks, during Georgia's 38-0 shutout of Tennessee Tech.

• Robinson helped anchor a defense which held the Golden Eagles to just 55 total yards on offense, including -13 rushing yards, and piled up six sacks and 15 tackles for losses.

• Robinson and the Bulldog defense had its first shutout since topping UAB 34-0 in 2006.