EWU's Kupp reels in more FCS national honors

(STATS) - The pregame newspaper headline read: "University of Northern Colorado football has eye on Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp."

Unfortunately for the Bears, they had to get their hands on the All-America wide receiver way too often this past Saturday.

Kupp has put together one of the greatest careers among FCS wide receivers, and his performance in Eastern Washington's Big Sky Conference victory over Northern Colorado - 20 receptions for 275 yards and three touchdowns - helped take him to new heights.

"I just haven't seen anything like this to see him perform like that for three years game-in and game-out," Eagles coach Beau Baldwin said. "You become so numb to it that you don't realize how special it is. In the game, you know he is getting a lot of touches, but the next thing you know you see 20 for 275. It's a number you just never expect to see next to a receiver."

Kupp, Drake's John Hugunin, South Carolina State's Tevin Richard and Georgetown's Jethro Francois have been named the STATS FCS National Players of the Week for games played Oct. 23-24.

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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK=

Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, WR, R-Jr., 6-2, 205, Yakima, Washington

It feels like Kupp sets a record with every game. In Eastern Washington's 43-41 escape from Northern Colorado, the junior had 20 receptions and 275 yards - both school records - and caught three touchdowns to become the Big Sky's all-time leader in receptions (281) and receiving yards (4,338). He already was the conference's all-time leader in touchdown receptions, and in stretching the total to 52, surpassed three players - including Jerry Rice - to move into a tie for second place in FCS history. Kupp is six TD receptions shy of the record 58 caught by New Hampshire's David Ball from 2003-06. Kupp's career exploits have come in only 35 games.

Honorable Mention: Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham; Blake Veasley, RB, Central Arkansas

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DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK=

John Hugunin, Drake, LB, R-Sr., 5-11, 232, Oswego, Illinois

Jacksonville fell from the ranks of the unbeaten after Hugunin led the way in Drake's 28-24 victory in the Pioneer Football League. He recorded a career-high 20 tackles, 10 solo, with 1 1/2 sacks and forced two fumbles. One of the fumbles set up the Bulldogs' winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, and the other came off one of his sacks. Hugunin, who led the PFL in tackles in 2013, has 77 stops this season, giving him 378 in his career to rank No. 1 all-time at Drake and third in league history.

Honorable Mention: Jevon Elmore, CB, Central Connecticut State; Matt Satchell, LB, Georgetown; Myke Tavarres, LB, Incarnate Word

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SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK=

Tevin Richard, South Carolina State, LB, R-Sr., 6-0, 200, Georgetown, South Carolina

Delaware State saw right away what Richard was headed toward when he was in on the tackle on the opening kickoff of South Carolina State's 34-7 MEAC win. When the Hornets tried to punt to end their opening drive, Richard scooped up the punter's fumble and ran in a 10-yard touchdown. He then partially blocked the punt on DSU's second possession, setting up another South Carolina State touchdown. He recovered a fumble in the second quarter to set up another TD and blocked a punt deep in DSU territory to set up yet another touchdown early in the fourth. He finished with five tackles and one pass breakup in addition to the two blocked punts and two fumble recoveries.

Honorable Mention: Nick Dorka, PK, William & Mary; Willie Quinn, WR/RS, Southern

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FRESHMAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK=

Jethro Francois, Georgetown, S, Fr., 6-1, 185, Miami

Georgetown spoiled Bucknell's homecoming with a strong defensive effort in a 17-9 Patriot League victory. Francois racked up 15 tackles, including a Hoyas freshman-record 11 solo stops, as well as the first 1 1/2 tackles for loss and half-sack of his career. Francois' half-sack - linebacker Matt Satchell got the other half - stopped a fourth-quarter drive on fourth down with the Bison in the red zone. The Hoyas have a 4-4 record, surpassing last year's three- win total, and have held all three league opponents scoreless in the second half.

Honorable Mention: Case Cookus, QB, Northern Arizona; Thomas Jefferson, RB, Delaware; Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota State