College Sports Journal FBS Group of Five National Players of the Week-Oct. 11

Five players including Marquez Stevenson from Houston, Aaron McAllister from Charlotte, Gunnar Watson from Troy, Tavante Beckett from Marshall, and Demario Douglas from Liberty have been selected as the College Sports Journal All-Stars for the week ending Oct. 11, 2020 from the NCAA Division I FBS Group of Five schools.

Marquez Stevenson, Houston, WR, Sr., Shreveport, La.

Stevenson finished with 223 all-purpose yards and scored two long touchdowns in Houston’s 49-31 season opening win against Tulane. Stevenson had five receptions for 118 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game away. He added a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter after the Green Wave had closed to within three points. Stevenson turned in his ninth career game with at least 100 receiving yards and has 13 receptions of at least 40 yards since the start of the 2018 season, good for third nationally.

Aaron McAllister, Charlotte, RB, R-Sr., Live Oak, Fla.

McAllister powered a record-setting offensive performance with a pair of breakaway touchdowns and a career-best 214 yards of total offense as Charlotte posted a 49-21 road victory at North Texas.  Charlotte set school C-USA records for points scored (49) and total offense (599) thanks to McAllister, who rushed for 140 yards and added 74 yards through the air.  He broke behind the secondary for a 71-yard touchdown reception to give Charlotte a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter and he sped to a 66-yard TD run early in the 4th quarter to all but seal the win. McAllister’s two TDs — the 49ers longest pass and longest run of the season — are the 49ers two longest plays from scrimmage – from a player who set a school-record with a 97-yard kickoff return earlier in the season.  His 140 rushing yards gave him his third career 100-yard rushing day and first of the season.

Gunnar Watson, Troy, QB, Soph., Butler, Ga.

Watson gashed Texas State for 338 yards, four touchdowns and a 71.7 completion percentage despite playing in the remnants of Hurricane Delta; all those numbers being career highs. He completed passes to 10 different receivers in the game, and completed 23-of-30 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns in the first half . Watson led an offensive unit that did not turn the ball over all game despite the soggy conditions with the Trojans enjoying a 37-17 victory.

Tavante Beckett, Marshall, LB, R-Sr., Chesapeake, Va.

Beckett tied a school record with three fumble recoveries in just over two and one-third quarters in Marshall’s 38-14 win at Western Kentucky. The final fumble recovery resulted in a 38-yard touchdown return at the 9:20 mark of the third quarter.  The other two turnovers also led directly to Thundering Herd touchdowns.  He also posted two tackles as the Thundering Herd held the Hilltoppers scoreless until the final drive of the third quarter.  For the game, WKU converted just two of 12 times on third down.  Not only did his three fumble recoveries against the Hilltoppers tie the Marshall single-game record, but he now has five career fumble recoveries in 16 games. 

Demario Douglas, Liberty, PR/WR, R-Fr., Jacksonville, Fla.

Douglas’ 73-yard punt return touchdown pushed Liberty’s lead out to 40-0 late in the fourth quarter before ULM spoiled the Flames’ shutout bid with a touchdown to end the game with a Liberty 40-7 win.  He also had a first quarter return of 38-yards that helped set-up the Flames first touchdown of the game.  Douglas’ touchdown was one of three special teams scores on the day for the Flames.  In total, Douglas accounted for 109 all-purpose yards in the game, totaling 107 punt return yards and two receiving yards.