MIAA ANNOUNCES ASTROTURF FOOTBALL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

UCM's Taylor on offense, PSU's Hall on defense and MWSU's Schmiemeier on special teams

Josh Slaughter - The MIAA

Football | 10/20/2014 11:20:06 AM

Kansas City, Mo. – Central Missouri’s LaVance Taylor has been named the MIAA Football Offensive Athlete of the Week with Pittsburg State’s Colby Hall earning Defensive Athlete of the Week. Missouri Western kicker John Schmiemeier has been named the MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week.

MIAA/AstroTurf Offensive Athlete of the Week
LaVance Taylor, RB, Central Missouri
Taylor rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in UCM’s 31-19 win over No. 22 Central Oklahoma. He had touchdown runs of 10 and 80 yards to propel UCM to the win. He also caught two passes for 18 yards as the Mules improved to 5-2 on the season. It was his second game with 200 yards rushing and gives him 1,002 on the season. The 5-11 senior running back is a native of Raytown, Mo. where he competed at Raytown High School.

Others nominated: Zack Gaughan, Fort Hays State; Gavin Lutman, Pittsburg State; Bronson Marsh, Nebraska-Kearney; Shannon Saunders, Missouri Southern.

MIAA/AstroTurf Defensive Athlete of the Week
Colby Hall, LB, Pittsburg State
Making just his second start of the season, Hall enjoyed a career day while leading a spirited defensive effort in No. 17 Pittsburg States 35-17 road win over No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri Saturday (Oct. 18). He made a career-high 18 tackles (two solo) in the contest as the Gorillas limited the Bearcats to 17 points and 328 total yards — NWMSU entered the game averaging an MIAA best 40.7 points and 458.7 total yards. Hall forced a fumble by running back Robert Burton III that led to a 45-yard touchdown return by teammate Deron Washington. Two series later, he intercepted a Brady Bolles pass to halt another Bearcat drive. The 5-10 junior linebacker is a native of Lamar, Mo. where he competed at Lamar High School.

Others nominated: J.R. Alexander, Central Missouri; Matt Bowman, Nebraska-Kearney; Jared Fox, Northwest Missouri; Nathan Lindsey, Fort Hays State; Breon Matlock, Missouri Southern.

MIAA/AstroTurf Special Teams Athlete of the Week
John Schmiemeier, K, Missouri Western
Schmiemeier had a season best four field goals in the Griffons 40-14 win at Washburn. The senior kicker went 4-5 on field goal attempts, including a 48 yarder. Schmiemeier also averaged more than 60 yards per kick on nine kickoffs. The 6-0 senior kicker is a native of Fenton, Mo. where he competed at Rockwood Summit High School.

Others nominated: Drew O’Brien, Fort Hays State.