CLICK HERE for the Primetime Performer homepage on sister site CollegeSoccer360.com
RELEASE: Dec. 20, 2011 CONTACT: Pete LaFleur (editor@collegesports360.com)
The Primetime Performers of the Week honors program has made its debut here on CollegeSports360.com, as we embark on building up the site. This initial group includes 26 total student-athletes from six sports that were in action last week (D-I, unless noted): men's and women's basketball, football (includes FBS/FCS/D2/D3), men's ice hockey, women's volleyball and wrestling.
The 26 Primetime Performer honoress include three who hail from Wisconsin hometowns; two each from Florida, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas; and one each from: Arkansas, California, France, Hungary, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington.
This Primetime Performer listing provides a quick look at noteworthy feats from the past week and is a great way for potentially new fans or casual fans to learn about various college sports – while also paying tribute to some athletes who may be more well-known on a national level.
... Selection for these CollegeSports360 weekly awards is based on any/all of the following "primetime" criteria (i.e. not solely based on raw stats):
• Performed at a high level in a game/event that involves a team receiving votes in the national polls or in a game/event that is key to the team's postseason achievements.
• In general, preference is given based on the quality of the opponent, contribution to team success and situational factors involved in the player's accomplishments.
• Exhibited strong leadership and/or involved in clutch performances, such as gamewinning goals, noteworthy comebacks, late scores, momentum-shifting play, all-around performance, team spirit, etc.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Bonus consideration is given for key performances away from team's home field and/or against a traditional rival.
The 26 honorees are featured below (with individual info. and action photos; headshots in right-sidebar). Here's a quick list of the 26, sorted by sport (capsules below and sidebar headshots are listed aplabetically for the 26):
MEN'S BASKETBALL – Indiana State so. guard Steve McWhorter (Racine, Wis.) ... Oral Roberts sr. forward Dominque Morrison (Kansas City, Mo.) ... UNLV so. forward Mike Moser (Portland, Ore.) ... Butler jr. center Andrew Smith (Zionsville, IN) ... Louisville so. forward Russ Smith (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL – Notre Dame jr. guard Skylar Diggins (South Bend, Ind.) ... Baylor jr. center Brittney Griner (Houston, Texas) ... Tennessee sr. G/F Shekinna Stricklen (Morrilton, Ark.) ... Duquesne so. G/F Orsi Szecsi (Budapest, Hungary)
FOOTBALL – Ohio University 5th-yr.-sr. receiver LaVon Brazil (Lantana, Fla.) ... Temple so. QB Chris Coyer (Oak Hill, Va.) ... Mount Union jr. DB Nick Driskill (Wabash, Ind.) ... Louisiana (Lafayette) jr. QB Blaine Gautier (Paulina, La.) ... Sam Houston State so. RB Tim Flanders (Midwest City, Okla.) ... North Dakota State so. safety Colten Heagle (Appleton, Wis.) ... Wisconsin-Whitewater so. DL Loussaint Minett (Whitewater, Wis.) ... Pittsburg State sr. safety Paul Robinson (Kileen, Texas)
MEN'S HOCKEY – Union fr. defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (Margate, Fla.) and St. Cloud State so. defenseman Nick Jensen (Rogers, Minn.)
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL – USC sr. outside hitter Alex Jupiter (Paris, France) ... UCLA jr. outside hitters Rachael Kidder (Moorpark, Calif.) and Tabi Love (Dauphin, Minn.) ... Illinois sr. OH Colleen Ward (Naperville, Ill.)
WRESTLING – Boise State jr. 157-pounder George Ivanov (Council Bluffs, Iowa) ... Wyoming sr. 165-pounder Shane Onufer (Auburn, Wash.) ... Oklahoma State so. 197-pounder Blake Rosholt (Ponca City, Okla.)
PRIMETIME PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK (D-I sports, plus D-2 & D-3 football)
(for week of Dec. 12-18, 2011 ... courtesy of CollegeSports360.com)
"It's not so much what you do, as it is when you do it."
LaVON BRAZIL
(Ohio Univ. ... 5th-Yr.-Sr. ... WR ...
Lantana, FL ... #7)
..... Took home MVP honors in 24-23 comeback win over favored Utah State, as Bobcats posted first bowl victory in program history (in Boise at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl) ... his 8 receptions for 108 yds included 44-yd TD catch that cut deficit to 23-17 late in 3rd quarter – then a game-saving 4th-down completion (13 yds, down to the 1-yd line) that set up winning score with 13 second remaining.
CHRIS COYER
(Temple ... So. ... QB ... Oak Hill, VA ... #10)
..... Returned from shoulder injury suffered in final regular-season game, leading Owls to historic win, 37-15, over Wyoming in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl (second bowl win in the program's history and first since 1979) ... his passing day (8-of-12, 168 yds) included quick answer to Cowboys' only points of the day, delivering on first play of the ensuing drive with pass down right-sideline to Rob Streater (that 44-yd TD helped put the game away, 28-7) ... also averaged 5.9 yards on 12 rushed (71 yds, for 239 combined passing & rushing) ... directed attack that racked up 424 yds in total offense.
SKYLAR DIGGINS
(Notre Dame ... Jr. ... Guard ... South Bend, IN ... #4)
..... Guided offense that produced five double-digit scorers as #3 Irish pulled away from #8 Kentucky, 92-83 (avenging loss from previous season) ... scored (11) or assisted (22; 11 ast) on 33 of her team's points, while making only three turnovers and commiting only a pair of fouls in 37 intense minutes of play ... her 3-pointer with 3:35 remaining capped clinching 11-0 run ... led offense that shot 52% from the floor, vs. Wildcats defense that had been allowing only 51.6 ppg.
NICK DRISKILL
(Mount Union ... Jr. DB...Wabash, IN..#21)
..... Led strong defensive effort, as #2-ranked Raiders battled top-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater in the D-III Stagg Bowl national-title game, played in Salem, Va. (three costly Union turnovers helped UWW claim the 13-10 win and its third straight NCAA championship) ... totaled eight tackles while leading defense that allowed only 210 yards ... went on to earn All-America honors.
TIM FLANDERS
(Sam Houston State ... So. ... RB ...
Midwest City, OK ... #20)
..... Rose to the moment in FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) national semifinal, rushing for a school-record 287 yards as top-ranked and unbeaten Bearkats help off #4 seed Montana, 31-28 ... compiled his nearly 300 yds on 26 rushes (11 yds per carry), en route to breaking McNeil Moore's SHSU record that had stood since 1951 ... had 69-yd TD run (for 14-0 lead) that helped him rack up 194 rushing yds by halftime ... Grizzlies rallied in second half (cutting 28-7 deficit to 31-28) and were close to getting ball back in closing minutes – with Bearkats facing 4th-and-1 near midfield, but SHSU went for it and Flanders left no doubt on 22-yd counter run, followed by runs of 7- and 9-yds for clinching first down ... Sam Houston will face North Dakota State in the FCS title game on Jan. 7 (in Fargo, N.D.; live at 1:30 CT, on ESPNU).
BLAINE GAUTIER
(Louisiana (Lafayette) ... Jr. ... QB ...
Paulina, LA ... #17)
..... Capped his 470-yd passing game by completing 3-of-3 passes for 44 yds in final frantic drive, setting up Brett Baer's 50-yd field goal as time expired to upset San Diego State, 32-30, in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl ... final drive began at the Cajuns 18-yd line, with only 0:35 on the clock ... started that final drive by delivering consecutive completions to Javone Lawson (13-yd slant; 26-yds over the middle), followed by 5-yd sideline pass to Harry Peoples (and then a 5-yd SDSU penalty) ... directed offense that rolled up 568 yards in total offense, securing UL's first 9-win season since 1976.
SHAYNE GOSTISBEHERE
(Union ... Fr. ... D ... Margate, FL ... #14)
..... Scored on the power play for eventual game-winning goal, as the #11 Dutchmen tacked on empty-netter for 3-1 win over #5 Merrimack ... broke tie late in 2nd period, seconds after a shorthanded breakaway by the Warriors ... took pass from Josh Jooris and scored on wrister for the 2-1 lead ... member of defense that killed all five Merrimack power plays while limiting the visitors to 20 shots on goal.
BRITTNEY GRINER
(Baylor ... Jr. ... C ... Houston, TX ... #42)
..... Dominant 6-foot-8 post player who scored 12 of her 25 points in clinching 20-6 run (11-0 at one point), as top-ranked Bears turned 50-38 deficit into 58-56 lead en route to 66-61 win over #2 Connecticut ... made 9-of-15 shots from the floor and 7-of-7 clutch free throws, adding nine rebounds and nine blocks in near-triple-double ... averaging 23.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season, with 58 blocks for the 11-0 Bears ... already owns the Big 12 Conference record for blocks in a career (451).
COLTEN HEAGLE
(North Dakota State ... So. ... SS ...
Appleton, WI ... #20)
..... Defensive leader who returned from injury, after being sidelined for two weeks, and played key role in FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) national semifinal, as #2 seed North Dakota State rolled to 35-7 win over #3 Georgia Southern ... his team-best 15 tackles (nine solo) helped limit GSU to one score in the game and no points over the final 41 minutes of game time ... NDSU will face Sam Houston State in the FCS title game on Jan. 7 (in Fargo, N.D.; live at 1:30 CT, on ESPNU).
GEORGE IVANOV
(Boise State ... Jr. ... 157 lbs ... Council Bluffs, IA/Nebraska-Omaha)
..... Unseeded entrant who bested three top-20 wrestlers (the tournament's #3, #2, #1 seeds, in order) en route to winning the 157-pound weight class at the annual Reno (Nev.) Tournament of Champions ... opened with pair of wins over fellow unseeded competitors before beating 12th-ranked Albert White of Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals (7-5), then Oregon State's R.J. Pena (#16) on a pin at 4:42 in the semifinals ... completed his run to the title with a 5-3 decision vs. #5-ranked Juston Lister of Binghamton.
NICK JENSEN
(St. Cloud State ... So. ... D ... Rogers, MN ... #14)
..... Became first St. Cloud defenseman since 1991 (Bret Hedican) to score three or more goals in a game, with his hat trick leading the way in convincing 5-1 win over #13 Denver ... his strong slapshot opened the scoring 34 seconds into the game (assisted by Travis Novak & Ben Hanowski) ... added a power-play goal midway through the 1st-period (from Jared Festler/Andrew (Prochno) and completed the rare blueliner trifecta with another quick-strike goal, 21 seconds into the 2nd-period (w/ assists from Prochno and Nic Dowd) ... was on the ice for all five goals, helped thwart all four DU power plays and was credited with blocking six shots ... part of defense that did not allow an even-strength goal in earlier game vs. Pioneers (3-2 loss, in OT).
ALEX JUPITER
(USC ... Sr. ... OH ... Paris, France ... #7)
..... AVCA national player of the year who ended her career with 32-kill output, in tough 3-2 loss vs. #3 Illinois during NCAA semifinals (played in San Antonio) ... also had 12 digs and a pair of blocks in tight match that saw Illini finish with 89-85 edge in total points (USC won sets 1 and 4) ... became first USC player ever to post 500-plus kills in three seasons (514 in 2011) and holds the program record for career kills (1,918).
RACHAEL KIDDER
(UCLA ... Jr. ... OH ... Moorpark, CA ... #11)
..... Took home MVP honors at the NCAA Volleyball Championships in San Antonio, as #9 Bruins blew past #12 Florida State (3-0) and then topped #3 Illinois in a 3-1 title game that featured huge momentum swings in the middle sets ... three down 21 kills with only three errors vs. FSU, hitting .462 while adding 12 digs and an ace ... added 20 kills in the final (8 digs, 3 blocks, ace) while facing the top Illini blockers on most of her swings ... helped team bounce back from blown lead (21-15) in set-2, as Bruins fought off two set points (22-24) in set-3 ... sparked late rally in that set with kill for 23-24, then served out the set with three straight points (26-24) ... had six kills in that crucial third set.
TABI LOVE
(UCLA ... Jr. ... OH ...
Dauphin, MN/Univ. of Minn, ... #3)
..... Provided 14 key kills – including two in the closing moments of set-3 (26-24, after trailing 22-24; UCLA had blown 21-14 lead in set-2) – to help beat #3 Illinois in 3-1 NCAA final ... totaled six kills in that pivotal third set ...hit .294 in the title match (3 blocks, 2 digs) ... earlier had 12 kills and a block in 3-0 semifinal vs. #12 Florida State.
STEVE
McWHORTER
(Indiana St. ..So. ..G ... Racine, WI ... #25)
..... Defensive stopper who played subtle, but crucial, role in 61-55 win over #25 Vanderbilt, the first time since 1999 that a Sycamores team has defeated a top-25 opponent on the road ... played lead role in limiting Vandy's top scorer John Jenkins to a season-low 11 points ... also made pair of free throws that put Indiana State ahead to stay, late in the game (part of decisive 16-2 run) ... in addition to his strong defense, chipped in six points, a pair of assists and a steal.
LOUSSAINT MINETT
(Wisconsin-Whitewater ... So. ... DL ...
Whitewater, WI ... #97)
..... Made play of the game in defensive battle at D-III Stagg Bowl national-title game, played in Salem, Va., as top-ranked Warhawks edged #2 Mount Union, 13-10 ... part of defense that swarmed in on QB Matt Piloto, forcing fumble near the goal line (Cole Klotz recovered and UWW took 10-0 lead on Levell Coppage's 1-yd run, midway through 3rd quarter) ... helped limit Raiders to 49 rushing yards, on 27 attempts (1.8 per rush).
DOMINIQUE MORRISON
(Oral Roberts ... Sr.
Forward ... Kansas City, MO ... #45)
..... Lived up to his status as team-leading scorer in big-game situation, scoring 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting (with five 3s) as ORU won 64-62 at #8 Xavier (XU's worst loss ever at the Cintas Center and second loss in past 46 games at Cintas) ... also had four rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal in the big win – while helping ORU defense force 13 steals and limit Xavier to 33% shooting (1-of-11 on 3s) ... had near-double-double (19 pts, 9 rbs) earlier in the week at Gonzaga (67-61 loss), which was receiving votes in national polls ... has led ORU (8-4) to its best start since 2004-05.
MIKE MOSER
(UNLV ... So. ... F ... Portland, OR/UCLA ... #43)
..... His double-double (17 pt, 11 rbs) led Rebels to convincing win over #19 and previously unbeaten Illinois, 64-48, at Chicago's United Center (6-11 FG; assist, 2 steals) ... also helped beat UTEP earlier in the week, 65-54 (6 pts, 11 rbs, steal).
SHANE ONUFER
(Wyoming ... Sr. ... 165 lb...Auburn, WA)
..... Continued his strong start to the season (15-1 record) by taking home tournament title for the fourth time, winning the 165-pound weight class at the annual Reno Tournament of Champions ... the top seed's four wins included a fall and major decision, capped by 7-4 decision vs. #3-seeded and #20-ranked Dallas Bailey of Oklahoma State.
PAUL ROBINSON
(Pittsburg State (KS) ... Sr. ... S. ...
Kileen, TX/Dodge City JC ... #7)
..... Had several key plays, as #2-ranked Gorillas held off Wayne State, 35-21, in the Division II national-title game (played in Florence, Ala.) ... swung the momentum by blocking a 2nd-quarter field-goal attempt, as Aries Herron scooped up the loose ball and scampered 80 yds for go-ahead TD (20-14) ... added four tackles and accounted for one of Pitt State's three interceptions.
BLAKE ROSHOLT
(Oklahoma State ... So. ... 197 lbs ...
Ponca City, OK)
..... Won all five of his matches as the #6 seed, claiming the 197-pound title at the annual Reno Tournament of Champions (now 11-1 for the season) ... his victories included a fall, technical fall and major decision ... advanced past #3-seeded Tyler Dickinson of Michigan State (injury forfeit), then won tight decision vs. Wyoming's Alfonso Hernandez (#2 seed) and bested teammate Cayle Byers, the top seed, in a 6-0 final.
ANDREW SMITH
(Butler ... Jr. ... Center ... Zionsville, IN ... #44)
..... Tipped in rebound, after missed floater from Roosevelt Jones, with one second remaining to give Bulldogs 67-65 win over Purdue in Crossroads Classic tournament action (at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis) ... scored eight of his team-best 12 points in the second half, as Bulldogs rallied from 11-point halftime deficit ... shot 4-for-5 from the floor and the free-throw line, adding six rebounds, a block and a steal ... helped anchor defense that held Purdue (receiving votes in national polls) to a single point over the final 6:40, as Butler closed with 11-1 run.
RUSS SMITH
(Louisville ... So. ... G ... Brooklyn, NY ... #2)
..... Made the most of a rare start, en route to posting a career-best 24 points, in only 25 minutes played, along with career-best 7 steals, as #4 Cardinals won 95-87 shootout with Memphis (which was receiving votes in the national polls) ... added a pair of rebounds and three assists in the key win vs. old Conference USA rival ... Memphis had rallied to tie game (70-70), but he subbed back in moments later to help spark final push ... has helped Louisville get off to its best start (10-0) since 1996-97 (18-game home winning streak is longest at UL in 27 years).
SHEKINNA STRICKLEN
(Tennessee ... Sr. ... G/F ... Morrilton, AR ... #40)
..... Led #6 Vols in 67-61 win at #11 Rutgers, with near-double-double (22 pts, 9 rbs; three 3s, 2 ast, 3 stls, 1 foul in 39+ min.) ... also helped team win days later at UCLA, 85-64 (11 pts, on 5-of-6 shooting).
ORSI SZECSI
(Duquesne ... So. ... G/F ...
Budapest, Hungary ... #13)
..... Tied career high with 23 points in 77-70 win over Akron (9-14 shooting, 4-5 on 3s, 6 rbs, 2 ast, 2 stl) before helping Dukes post program's first win over West Virginia since 1995, 61-55 (both teams were receiving votes in the national polls) ... her 3-pointer with 1:03 left to play capped a 16-0 run that pushed team ahead of WVU (finished with 11 pts, 6 rbs, 2 ast, 3 stl).
COLLEEN WARD
(Illinois ... Sr. ... OH ...
Naperville, IL/Univ. of Florida ... #4)
..... Turned in rare 20-kill, 20-dig match (27 K, 22 D), as #3-ranked Illini edged #7 USC in 5-set NCAA semifinal battle (played in San Antonio) ... USC took extended opening set (27-25) but Illinois rallied to win sets 2, 3 and 5 ... served out the final five point to win pivotal set-3 in late comeback fashion (25-22) ... threw down kill for 9-9 score in final set, then delivered from serve line once again as Illini won next four points (13-9) en route to 15-10 final ... totaled 17 kills, 13 digs, four assists, two blocks and an ace in NCAA final vs. #9 UCLA (3-1 loss) ... played key role in set-2 rally, with three kills as Illini closed 15-21 gap to 20-21 (won 25-23, then had a couple set points in set-3 but failed to close it out and UCLA also won set-4).