Collier, a 5-8, 210 pound, junior from Orlando, Fla., posted three defensive notables in the 45-13 Graceland victory over Peru State (Neb.) on Oct. 1. Collier intercepted a pass, which he returned 55 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Less than three minutes later, he took a fumble back for a 52-yard score. He also finished with a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown by another defender. He added five tackles and 1.0 tackles-for-loss.
Coy, a 6-0, 205 pound, senior quarterback from Park Ridge, Ill., was efficient in leading top-ranked Saint Xavier to a 42-31 road win over No. 2 Saint Francis (Ind.) on Oct. 1. Coy was 29-for-43 passing (.674) for 338 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 14 times for 37 yards and did not record an interception or a fumble in the game. He had a touchdown pass in each of the final three quarters to complete the rally after the Cougars trailed 10-0 after the first quarter. Coy also kicked two punts and averaged 57.5 yards per attempt.
Lynch, a 5-11, 205 pound, senior kicker from Frankfort, Ill., made five-of-six field goal attempts in the Cougars victory against No. 2 Saint Francis. The 2010 Fred Mitchell Award winner that goes to college football's best kicker nailed field goals of 50 and 48 yards. Lynch also kicked the momentum-shifting onside kick to start the second half that was recovered by Saint Xavier. That play led to the go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing drive. He tied a school single-game record for points by a kicker with 18.
Offensive Nominees: Anthony Muilenburg, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.); Ryan Moses, Union (Ky.); Sean Ransburg, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Shane Gimzo, Ottawa (Kan.); Zach Mcrae, Montana Western; Taylor Parsons, William Penn (Iowa); Kyle Jech, Northwestern Oklahoma State; Deonte Fielder, Webber International (Fla.); Deonte Fielder, Webber International (Fla.); Deonte Fielder, Webber International (Fla.); Deonte Fielder, Webber International (Fla.); Deonte Fielder, Webber International (Fla.); Dave Velasquez, Dickinson State (N.D.); Dipo Kolawole, Ave Maria (Fla.); Jeremiah Andujo, Azusa Pacific (Calif.).
Defensive Nominees: Jade Haddix, Pikeville (Ky.); Jacob Ghinazzi, Saint Xavier (Ill.); Michael Hicks, Southern Nazarene (Okla.); Andrew Briones, St. Ambrose (Iowa); Nathan Murphy, Bethel (Kan.); Jeremy Wallace, Doane (Neb.); Thomas Robison, Carroll (Mont.); Jake Thurston, Valley City State (N.D.); Ricky Carlson, Webber International (Fla.); Ray Scavone, Ave Maria (Fla.); Jake Jones, Azusa Pacific (Calif.).
Special Teams Nominees: Jonny Sitton, Shorter (Ga.); Matt Klingler, St. Ambrose (Iowa); Brandon Lluis, Bethel (Kan.); Jeremiah Saffold, Doane (Neb.); Nick Knell, Rocky Mountain (Mont.); Dylan McGuire, Benedictine (Kan.); P.J. Stimson, Northwestern Oklahoma State; Mason Prater, Webber International (Fla.); Eric DeLira, Azusa Pacific (Calif.).
2011 Football Players of the Week (Offense; Defense; Special Teams)
Week 1: Brandon Smith, Northwestern (Iowa); Reece Green, Marian (Ind.); Marcus Bratton, UVa-Wise (Va.)
Week 2: Chris Ware, Eastern Oregon; Vincent Aguilar, Trinity International (Ill.); Levi Cockle, Peru State (Neb.)
Week 3: Josh Hollingsworth, Faulkner (Ala.); Ross Bauman, Saint Francis (Ind.); Terry Stecker, Kansas Wesleyan
Week 4: Trevor Hoskins, Pikeville (Ky.); Demitri Travis, Pikeville (Ky.); Alex Fambrough, Bethany (Kan.)
Week 5: Jimmy Coy, Saint Xavier (Ill.); Nate Collier, Graceland (Iowa); Tom Lynch, Saint Xavier (Ill.)
