Ivey Tabbed as Special Teams Player of the Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Liberty quarterback Tommy Beecher (Concord, N.C.) has been named the Choice Hotels Big South Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Stony Brook defensive back Arin West (Toms River, N.J.) has been selected as the Defensive Player of the Week for games played during Week 9 of the 2009 regular-season, it was announced today by the Conference office.  In addition, Charleston Southern running back Antwan Ivey (Newberry, Fla.) is the Special Teams Player of the Week, while Liberty running back SirChauncey Holloway (Seffner, Fla.) has been selected as The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week.

Ivey returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown to put Charleston Southern ahead of VMI, 14-7, early in the second quarter on Saturday – CSU’s first punt return for a touchdown since 2006.  It was his only chance to return a kick that VMI gave him, and it was the longest of his 10 career punt returns.  Ivey added a 2-yard touchdown run later in the period to give the Buccaneers a 21-14 lead.

Beecher was nearly perfect in Liberty’s victory over Presbyterian College, as he completed 15-of-17 passes ( =88.2 percent) for 159 yards and two touchdowns.  He was responsible for a third touchdown with a 5-yard scamper in the first quarter.  Beecher, who entered the game with just one touchdown pass in six previous appearances, finished with a 205.62 passing efficiency rating against the Blue Hose, as well as 169 yards of total offense.  His 88.2 completion percentage is the highest by a Big South quarterback in a game with 15-19 completions.

West was a key factor in a Stony Brook defense that held Gardner-Webb to almost 80 yards under its season average on offense, and just 14 points scored.  He made 11 tackles (five solo), with eight coming in the first half, including one that held GWU from a first down.  In the second half, West recovered a fumble and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown that tied the game at 14-14.  On Gardner-Webb’s next series, he forced another fumble that ended GWU’s drive at the SBU 21-yard line.  West added a pass break-up on Gardner-Webb’s final drive of the day.

Holloway enjoyed a breakout game against Presbyterian College, as he recorded career highs with 12 carries and 99 rushing yards to lead the Flames’ rushing attack.  He averaged 8.3 yards a carry, had touchdown runs of 4 and 14 yards, and added a career-long run of 42 yards in the contest.  Holloway more than doubled his rushing total of 86 yards entering the game, and posted his second multi-touchdown game of the season.