Catawba’s Cuthbertson, Carson-Newman’s Rice, Wingate’s Beford named Fooball Players of the Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The South Atlantic Conference has announced its Football Players of the Week. Earning honors for the week ending on November 11 are Catawba running back Jamelle Cuthbertson, Carson-Newman linebacker Eric Rice and Wingate kicker Jonathan Beford. Cuthbertson was named Offensive Player of the Week, Rice Defensive Player of the Week and Beford was tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week.

Cuthbertson, a 5-8, 185-pound sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., ran for a career-high 218 yards and scored three touchdowns in Catawba's 32-24 road win at Lenoir-Rhyne. The Harding High School product recorded 27 carries in the win, including TD runs of 18, 5 and 25 yards. Cuthbertson also hauled in a 40-yard reception to set up Catawba's first score.

Jamelle Cuthbertson

Eric Rice

Jonathan Beford

Rice, a 5-11, 205-pound junior from Thomasville, Ga., led Carson-Newman with eight tackles as the Eagles defeated Tusculum 23-3. The Thomas County High School graduate recorded two hits behind the line of scrimmage (- 9 yards), including a sack as C-N limited the Pioneers to 140 yards offensively. This marks the second time Rice has been named SAC Defensive Player of the Week.

Beford, a 5-9, 160-pound junior from Charlotte, N.C., equaled his career high with three field goals (22, 30, 36) as Wingate beat Mars Hill 37-14 to complete a perfect 6-0 record at home this season. The Olympic High School product graduate nailed all three attempts in the last 5:30 of the second quarter. He was also perfect on his four extra point attempts to finish with 13 points. Beford earns Player of the Week honors for a second time this year.

The SAC Football Players of the Week are selected by a vote of the league's sports information directors.