The Bluebloods FCS National Players of the Week were selected after an exciting Week 2 of FCS action this weekend. Each week we will select three offensive and three defensive players of the week from across the FCS based on their on-field performance. You can find more analysis on our FCS Players of the Week on our weekly FCS Recap Show on our YouTube channel.
Offensive Players of the Week:
Matthew Sluka (Holy Cross; QB)
Stats: 61.9% Comp, 238 Passing Yards, 3 Passing Touchdowns, 146 Rushing Yards
Sluka had an outstanding game through the air and made plays with his legs, which helped Holy Cross pull off the upset over Buffalo this weekend. He also found his #1 target Jalen Coker on a last-second 46-yard hail mary to win the game. Sluka had career highs for touchdown passes (3), total offense (384), and rushing yards (146).
1️⃣👀@SportsCenter | @espn | @PatriotLeagueTV | #GoCrossGo pic.twitter.com/UpuWvAfgnv
— Holy Cross Football (@HCrossFB) September 11, 2022
Darion Chafin (Incarnate Word; WR)
Stats: 7 Receptions, 262 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns
Incarnate Word has been the hottest team in the country at the FCS level this season after dominant wins over Southern Illinois and Nevada. The offense has been electric and Darion Chafin was the star for the Cardinals this weekend in a 55-41 upset against Nevada. Chafin scored both of his touchdowns in crucial moments in the 2nd half, including the final touchdown with less than two minutes left in the game to clinch the win for the Cardinals.
Jason Shelley (Missouri State; QB)
Stats: 79.2% Comp, 297 Passing Yards, 5 Passing Touchdowns
Jason Shelley came into the year with extremely high expectations and helped the Bears win a tightly contented ranked matchup against UT Martin on Thursday night. Shelley threw two huge 4th quarter touchdowns to lead the Bears to the win and completed almost 80% of his passes against a talented UT Martin secondary.
Defensive Players of the Week:
Jalen Jones (William & Mary; CB)
Stats: 3 Interceptions, 1 Defensive Touchdown, & 2 Pass Breakups
Jalen Jones was one of the major reasons that the Tribe picked up a huge out of conference win against Campbell this weekend. Jones totaled three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown, which put the game out of reach for the Camels late in the 3rd quarter. The other two interceptions came in crucial moments when Campbell was threatening to score and Jones found ways to make multiple clutch plays for the Tribe defense.
PICK 6⃣‼️#FCS x 🎥 @WMTribeFootball pic.twitter.com/j12BuRlZEG
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) September 11, 2022
Nyles Gaddy (Jackson State; DE)
Stats: 6 Total Tackles, 4 Sacks, 4.5 Tackles For Loss, & 2 QB Hurries
Nyles Gaddy returned to his home state of Tennessee and he made sure to put on one of the most dominant performances in the country this weekend. Gaddy was the leader of a Jackson State defense that totaled 8 sacks against Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. He currently ranks 2nd the country in total sacks (5) this season and has been an intricate part in Jackson State not allowing a touchdown in the 2022 season.
Chris Whittaker (Incarnate Word; DE)
Stats: 9 Total Tackles, 4 Sacks, 4 Tackles For Loss, & 1 Forced Fumble
Whittaker set the single game sack record this weekend against Nevada in a huge 55-41 win for the Cardinals. He was a major factor in one of the four FCS over FBS upsets of the weekend as he recorded 4 of the 6 sacks for Incarnate Word. Whittaker also created one of the two turnovers for the Cardinals defense and was the most dominant player on the field on Saturday night.
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