INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Southwest Baptist University sophomore quarterback TJ Edwards has been named the GLVC Offensive Player of the Year as announced by the conference office today. Edwards becomes the youngest player in GLVC history to earn the Offensive Player of the Year award.
Edwards, the GLVC Freshman of the Year a season ago, broke the SBU and GLVC single season passing touchdown mark (33), while also breaking the SBU single season total touchdown record (43). Edwards also broke the GLVC single season total offense record (3,612) which ranks 4th all-time at SBU. Edwards becomes just the third quarterback in SBU history to throw for over 3,000 yards in a single season.
Joining Edwards on the 1st Team All-GLVC list were running back Bubba Jenkins, wide receiver Kendrick Payne, offensive lineman Sammy Zeqiraj, offensive utility Connor Still, defensive lineman Vice Epenesa, defensive lineman Via Manuma, linebacker Shaun Hutchinson, defensive utility D’Angelo Tucker, and punter Austin Molitor.
Jenkins broke the SBU and GLVC single season rushing record with 1,560 yards and 16 touchdowns. Jenkins currently ranks 3rd in the NCAA Division II in rushing yards, while also becoming the career GLVC rushing yard leader. Payne is the leading receiver for the Bearcats, hauling in 1008 yards with 13 touchdowns. Payne’s 13 touchdowns is a new SBU single season record. Zeqiraj and Still were both instrumental in the success of the SBU offense, as the Bearcats averaged 505.0 yards of total offense per game.
Manuma was a force on the defensive line, leading the Bearcats in sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (19.0) despite playing only 8 games this season. Epenesa was second on the team in sacks (5.0) and third on the team in tackles for loss (9.0) while also collecting 49 tackles. Hutchinson had a team high 94 tackles on the season, including 13.5 for a loss, while also collecting 2 sacks, 2 blocked kicks, and 1 interception on the season. Tucker had 36 tackles, 5.0 for a loss, with 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick on the season. Molitor averaged a GLVC leading 41.1 yards per punt, and going into the playoffs would stand as a new SBU single season record.
Earning 2nd Team All-GLVC honors were wide receiver Cassian Foreman, offensive lineman Brandon Byrd, offensive lineman Jason Kuykendall, linebacker Brycen Gagnon, defensive by Mygeish Dennis and defensive back Quinlan Gaines.
Foreman collected 821 receiving yards with 7 touchdowns to finish second on the team in both catagories. Gagnon was second on the team with 75 tackles, while Gaines was third on the team with 63 tackles and two interceptions, and Dennis had 41 tackles with two interceptions.
Earning All-GLVC Honorable Mention honors were wide receiver Scottie Wilson, offensive lineman Ryan Becker, and defensive back Nick Burns.
