BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Jacksonville State's
Coty Blanchard has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league office announced on Sunday.
In Jacksonville State's 21-17 come-from-behind win over Chattanooga, Blanchard punted three times for an average of 39 yards, pinning the Mocs inside their own 20-yard line twice. The true freshman also added a season-long punt of 51 yards that put UTC at its own 1-yard line.
As the team's backup quarterback, Blanchard scored his first rushing touchdown of the season with 5:50 left in the third quarter, putting the Gamecocks on the board for the first time in the game. His nine-yard touchdown pass to
Jeffrey Cameron with 7:50 to play in the game trimmed the UTC lead to 17-14.
It marks the second straight week the Leesburg, Ala., native has earned the honor.
Jacksonville State, ranked No. 5 in last week's The Sports Network Top 25 poll, returns to action on Saturday in Atlanta against Georgia State. Kickoff is set for 12 noon at the Georgia Dome.