Drafts, Ross and Murry named Big South Players of the Week

Collin Drafts

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charleston Southern quarterback Collin Drafts and Gardner-Webb wide receiver Duvaughn Flagler have been named the Big South football Choice Hotels Offensive Player of the Week, while Buccaneers linebacker Jada Ross is the New Balance Defensive Player of the Week, for games played the final week of the 2005 season, it was announced today by the Conference office. In addition, Gardner-Webb punt returner Andre Manning was selected as Special Teams Player of the Week, while Charleston Southern wideout Markus Murry garnered Freshman of the Week honors.

Drafts, a junior from Beaufort, S.C., led Charleston Southern back from a 14-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 8 Coastal Carolina in double overtime, 34-27, to claim a share of the Big South championship. Drafts was 20-of-37 passing for 250 yards and two touchdowns, and added a rushing TD for the host Bucs. After Coastal took a 24-10 lead with 2:49 left, Drafts directed a four-play, 70-yard scoring drive in 1:10, including a 55-yard pass play and four-yard touchdown run to close the cap to seven points. Drafts then found Murry for a four-yard touchdown pass as time expired to send the game into overtime. In the second overtime, Drafts completed two passes for 18 yards to set up the Bucs’ game-winning score.

Ross, a redshirt sophomore from Summerville, S.C., recorded a game-high 17 tackles against the Chanticleers, including nine solo hits. He added a tackle for loss of five yards in posting his second 17-tackle game of the season and seventh game in double figures.

Murry, a freshman from Calumet City, Ill., posted career-highs of seven catches and 76 yards against Coastal Carolina, including the game-tying four-yard touchdown pass at the end of regulation. He had four receptions of at least 10 yards, including a long of 18 in the fourth quarter that led to a field goal, as well as a key first down grab in the second overtime as part of CSU’s game-winning touchdown drive.