Bauman, a 6-1, 225 pound, senior linebacker from Jimtown, Ind., recorded St. Francis’ first interception return for a touchdown since 2008 in the 33-7 victory against McKendree (Ill.) on Sept. 17. His 62-yard return with 8:14 remaining in the fourth quarter capped a stand-out performance overall for the Cougars’ defense. He posted seven tackles (one solo), one quarterback hurry and notched another interception in the first quarter. His pick for a score ranks him second on the all-time school chart. He was integral to a defense that held McKendree to 57 passing yards and 218 total yards of offense.
Hollingsworth, a 6-0, 210 pound, sophomore quarterback from Hamilton, Ala., set three Faulkner single-game records in the 48-41 loss to Huntingdon (Ala.) on Sept. 17. His 39 completions, 519 passing yards and five scores broke the school’s record. He finished the day 39-of-53 passing for a .735 completion percentage and averaged 13.3 yards per completion. The passing yards and total offense (511) are NAIA single-game highs this season.
Stecker, a 5-10, 170 pound, freshman kicker from Plano, Texas, connected on the game-winning 46-yard field goal in the 24-21 win against Sterling (Kan.) on Sept. 17. His kick as time expired lifted Kansas Wesleyan to its first victory over Sterling in eight years. He was also 3-for-3 on PAT attempts.
Offensive Nominees: Taylor Parsons, William Penn (Iowa); Brett Giesen, Kansas Wesleyan; Jason Rice, SAGU (Texas); Adam Wiese, Marian (Ind.); Thomas Reynolds, Menlo (Calif.); Kevon McGrew, Benedictine (Kan.); Kevin Sampson, Eastern Oregon; Nate Hauptman, Nebraska Wesleyan; Brandon Large, Dakota State (S.D.); John van den Raadt, Azusa Pacific (Calif.).
Defensive Nominees: Cody Fanning, Doane (Neb.); Adam Tondini, St. Francis (Ill.); Ben Miller, Cumberland (Tenn.); Nolan Doss, Menlo (Calif.); Nate Bruto, Ottawa (Kan.); D. Brumbaugh, Southern Nazarene (Okla.); Jacob Grosz, Mayville State (N.D.); Moses Kato, Benedictine (Kan.); J.T. Fitzgerald, Rocky Mountain (Mont.); Spencer Danielson, Azusa Pacific (Calif.).
Special Teams Nominees: Phil Thramer, Doane (Neb.); Elliot Allen, St. Francis (Ill.); Leon Spears, Quincy (Ill.); Jesse Vaughn, Evangel (Mo.); Jake McLain, Mayville State (N.D.); Chris Jones, Northwestern Oklahoma State; Marquis Terrell, Pikeville (Ky.); Matt Ritter, Carroll (Mont.).
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
