The Sports Network named Elon junior inside linebacker Chad Nkang its NCAA-IAA Defensive Player of the Week Monday, Oct. 17. Nkang was also selected as the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week Monday. Details...
The 6-0, 214-pound Nkang amassed a career-high 25 tackles, including a career-high 14 solo stops, in Elon’s 10-7 SoCon loss to Chattanooga Saturday, Oct. 15. He also recorded three tackles for a loss. His 25 total tackles were the most by a Southern Conference player in a single game since Chattanooga’s Josh Cain recorded 30 stops versus The Citadel in 2001.
After his performance Saturday, Nkang now leads the NCAA-IAA with 102 tackles in just seven contests, averaging 14.57 tackles per game. The Buck Buchanan Award Watch List member passed last week’s leader, Norfolk State’s Maguell Davis (13.17 tackles per contest), for the top position Saturday.
Nkang and the rest of the Phoenix (3-4) travel to Greenville, S.C. this weekend to battle No. 2 Furman (6-1) in a Southern Conference clash at Paladin Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
This year’s confrontation between the Paladins and the Phoenix marks Elon’s third meeting with one of the NCAA-IAA’s top-two ranked teams. Top-ranked Georgia Southern overcame visiting Elon 31-17 on Sept. 5, 1998. No. 2 Georgia Southern rallied past the Phoenix 27-21 during Elon Homecoming festivities on Nov. 10, 2001.
2005 Elon University Football Award Winners
Southern Conference Players of the Week
Sept. 5 Freshman of the Week – Zach McAlister
Sept. 19 Freshman of the Week – Zach McAlister
Oct. 17 Defensive Player of the Week – Chad Nkang
Oct. 17 Freshman of the Week – Joe Baptiste
Southern Conference Player of the Month
September Defensive Player of the Month – Chad Nkang
National Players of the Week
Sept. 19 Football Gazette National Offensive Lineman of the Week – Jamie Ownbey
Oct. 17 The Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Week – Chad Nkang