Fordham’s Fotis Kokosioulis, Stetson’s Ja’Veon Ensley, LIU’s Michael Coney and Valparaiso’s Mason Kaplan were selected Monday as the FedEx Ground FCS National Players of the Week for Week 4 college football games through Saturday.
In addition, Southern Utah earned FCS National Team of the Week.
The five honorees plus honorable mention selections:
FedEx Ground FCS National Offensive Player of the Week
Fotis Kokosioulis, Fordham, WR, Sr., 5-9, 180, Park Ridge, Illinois
Kokosioulis continues to be unstoppable as quarterback Tim DeMorat’s favorite target, totaling 13 receptions for a Patriot League-record 320 yards and a Fordham record-tying four touchdown catches in a 59-52 loss at Ohio U. While averaging 24.6 yards per catch, he posted the ninth-most receiving yards in an FCS game, and the most by a subdivision player against an FBS opponent. He had a stretch of nine straight receptions that gained first downs, scoring on catches of 33, 74, 45 and 84 yards. He added a 24-yard kickoff return.
Honorable Mention: Brock Bagozzi, QB, Marist; Sean Chambers, QB, Montana State; Tim DeMorat, QB, Fordham; Mike DiLiello, QB, Austin Peay; Mark Gronowski, QB, South Dakota State; Devron Harper, WR, Mercer; Jarveon Howard, RB, Alcorn State; ShunDerrick Powell, RB, North Alabama; Shedeur Sanders, QB, Jackson State; Jaden Shirden, RB, Monmouth; Bhayshul Tuten, RB, North Carolina A&T; Reece Udinski, QB, Richmond; Zak Wallace, RB, UT Martin; Kendi Young, RB, Eastern Illinois
FedEx Ground FCS National Defensive Player of the Week
Ja’Veon Ensley, Stetson, S, Grad, 6-1, 179, Plainfield, New Jersey
Ensley made decisive plays throughout Stetson’s 38-26 win over Morehead State in the Pioneer Football League. He finished with a game-high-tying eight tackles (four solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, a pass breakup and a blocked punt. His first interception came in Stetson’s end zone to deny a touchdown. He then scored on a 32-yard pick-six to help give the Hatters the lead for good 14-13. He later blocked a punt in MSU territory and two plays later, Stetson turned it into a touchdown.
Honorable Mention: Armon Bailey, LB, Sacramento State; Kory Chapman, DB, Austin Peay; Donte’ Daniels, LB, Southeastern Louisiana; BJ Davis, LB, South Carolina State; Darnell Deas, DB, Berthune-Cookman; Mike DeNucci, LB, Lehigh; Woo Governor, DB, Northern Iowa; Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota; Robby Hauck, S, Montana; Ernest Howard, LB, Sacred Heart; Elijawah Tolbert, LB, Eastern Illinois; Scott Valentas, LB, Columbia
FedEx Ground FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week
Michael Coney, LIU, PK, R-So., 6-1, 190, Wantagh, New York
Coney tied the Northeast Conference record and became the first FCS player to kick five field goals in a game this season while LIU lost to Bryant 31-29. He didn’t miss a kick, adding two extra points to his field goals of 34, 19, 30, 41 and 28. His final field goal gave the Sharks a 29-28 lead with under a minute to play, but Bryant avoided the upset on, ironically, a walk-off field goal.
Honorable Mention: Gunnison Bloodgood, WR/RS, Morehead State; Gabe Boring, P, Chattanooga; Andrew Brown, PK, North Carolina A&T; Elijah Dotson, RB/PR, Northern Colorado; David Gelb, P, Charleston Southern; Ethan Gettman, PK, Bryant; Dylan Laube, RB/PR, New Hampshire; Parker Maddrey, P, Presbyterian; Dalyn McDonald, WR/KR, Southeast Missouri
FedEx Ground FCS National Freshman Player of the Week
Mason Kaplan, Valparaiso, QB, R-Fr., 6-3, 220, Peachtree Corners, Georgia
After entering the game with Valpo trailing 14-0, Kaplan helped the Beacons knock off defending PFL co-champion San Diego 28-21 – just their second win in the series since 2003. Kaplan scored on a two-yard run midway through the second quarter and passed for two- and 44-yard touchdowns in the second half. He finished with 146 yards of total offense, completing four of six passes.
Honorable Mention: Vinson Davis, WR/RS, Charleston Southern; Sam Franklin, RB, UT Martin; Gevani McCoy, QB, Idaho; Joshua Pitsenberger, RB, Yale
FedEx Ground FCS National Team of the Week
Southern Utah (31-17 win over Utah Tech)
With a 3-1 start under first-year coach DeLane Fitzgerald, the Thunderbirds have surpassed the win total of their last two seasons combined. The new WAC member never trailed in their first conference game, with quarterback Justin Miller completing 29 of 37 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns, and safety Rodrick Ward collecting six tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups.
Honorable Mention: Richmond (51-7 over Stony Brook); Sacramento State (41-10 win at Colorado State); Sacred Heart (38-31 OT win over Dartmouth); Southeastern Louisiana (41-35 win over then-No. 4 UIW)