The Bluebloods FCS National Players of the Week were selected after an exciting Week 3 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:
Tim DeMorat (Fordham; QB)
Stats: 62.3% Comp, 464 Passing Yards, 5 Passing Touchdowns
DeMorat is making a strong case to be the early favorite for the Walter Payton Award after his 3rd consecutive 5+ touchdown performance of the season. He currently leads the FCS in both passing yards and passing touchdowns through the first three weeks of the season. DeMorat was a key in Fordham’s huge 48-45 win over UAlbany this weekend and the Rams needed every bit of his 464 passing yards to escape with the win this weekend as the Rams scored 21 points in the 4th quarter.
Nolan Henderson (Delaware; QB)
Stats: 85.3% Comp, 379 Passing Yards, 4 Passing Touchdowns
Nolan Henderson stepped up in a major way as he led the Blue Hens to an extremely important win over #17 Rhode Island this weekend. Henderson was efficient and created multiple explosive plays for the Blue Hens offense, which were key in helping Delaware pull away from a very talented Rhode Island program. The Blue Hens scored 35 points in the first half behind four passing touchdowns from Henderson and Delaware is making a case to be a Top-5 team in the country through the first three weeks of the season.
Wow. Just Wow! Just a typical scramble and 65-yard TD pass from @NolanHendersonn to @jourdantownsend!
14-0 Blue Hens pic.twitter.com/ND2v8D8FJy
— Delaware Football (@Delaware_FB) September 17, 2022
Bronson Yoder (William & Mary; RB)
Stats: 17 Carries, 134 Rushing Yards, 3 Rushing Touchdowns, 7.8 Yards Per Carry
William & Mary has been impressive this season and Yoder is one of the key pieces to the offensive production for the Tribe. Yoder found the endzone three times this weekend and averaged almost eight yards per carry for the Tribe in a 34-7 win over Lafayette. Yoder currently ranks Top-5 in rushing yards and Top-10 in rushing touchdowns for the season.
Yoder finds the end zone again! @WMTribeFootball up 34-7!#CAAFB
📺| https://t.co/BAeBUMS3Ce@ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/Hg9LURaWKS— CAA Football (@CAAFootball) September 17, 2022
Defensive Players of the Week:
Nate Leskovec (Harvard; DL)
Stats: 7 Total Tackles, 4.5 Tackles For Loss, 4.5 Sacks
It was opening weekend for the Ivy League and Nate Leskovec put on a show for Harvard in a 28-21 win over Merrimack on Friday night. The Harvard defensive line totaled 9 sacks and Leskovec was responsible for half of those with 4.5 sacks on the night for the Crimson defense. After only one game Leskovec ranks Top-10 in sacks for the 2022 season and is primed to be one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the Ivy League this season.
Gotta show some love to Thor and Nate 👏
They combine for 16 tackles and 6 sacks 💪#GoCrimson | #OneCrimson #HarvardMerrimack pic.twitter.com/Ni4lHfNeEy
— Harvard Football (@HarvardFootball) September 17, 2022
John Pius (William & Mary; OLB)
Stats: 8 Total Tackles, 4 Tackles For Loss, 3.5 Sacks
John Pius earns the 2nd straight defensive player of the week for William & Mary following Jalon Jones (3 INTs) last weekend. Pius had a dominant performance in a 34-7 win over Lafayette for the Tribe with 3.5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. Pius currently leads the FCS in sacks (7 Total Sacks) for the 2022 season and has 2.0+ tackles for loss in every game this season for the Tribe defense.
Patrick O’Connell (Montana; LB)
Stats: 9 Total Tackles, 3 Tackles For Loss, 2.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
Patrick O’Connell was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award last season and looks like he is on a mission as he leads a talented Montana defense in tackles for loss and sacks for the 2nd season in a row. O’Connell had an excellent performance in a 49-14 win over Indiana State as he totaled 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and forced a huge turnover for the Griz defense. O’Connell currently ranks Top-5 in sacks (5 Total Sacks) this season and is one of the leaders in tackles for loss throughout the first three weeks of the season.
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