Two Chadron State College football players have received national players of the week honors for their performances Saturday during the Eagles' 50-43 victory over Bemidji State University. Freshman tailback Danny Woodhead of North Platte is Football Gazette's NCAA Division II offensive player of the week and cornerback Eric Barker of Rapid City is the publication's defensive player of the week.
Woodhead rushed 23 times for 306 yards and scored five touchdowns while Barker intercepted three passes, one of which he returned 55 yards for a touchdown, partially blocked a punt and broke up four more passes.
Woodhead also received the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's offensive player of the week honor and both he and Barker were selected as the Nebraska NCAA Division II players of the week
Barker also was the Nebraska defensive player of the week a week ago after he broke up five passes and caused two fumbles against Adams State.
Chadron State Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Boyle said Woodhead is a special running back.
"He hits the hole so quick and has great presence in the open field. He's also got a second gear. He can really turn it on. But his open field sense is amazing," O'Boyle said.
Because of Woodhead's cutting ability, O'Boyle said the freshman scatback is "able to set up defensive backs" after he gets in the open field. "He makes his cuts off of the way they react."
CSC Head Coach Brad Smith said that while he didn't enjoy all aspects of Saturday's game, he enjoyed watching Woodhead and Barker play.
"It's fun to watch Woodhead run. He's got a low center of gravity that he combines with great speed and balance. He's also explosive and has tremendous peripheral vision. He seems to be able to see everyone around him," Smith noted.
Smith added that Barker's three interceptions, four pass breakups and partially blocked punt adds up to an exceptional performance. "The other teams have really picked on Eric because they know we've got a wily veteran in Mitch Barry on the other side," Smith said. "But he's more than held his own. Pretty soon, teams are going to learn that it's dangerous to throw to his side of the field, too."
O'Boyle added that he thinks Woodhead will continue to get better.
"He's never lifted weights in the off-season because he was always playing basketball or soccer after the football season was over," the CSC coach noted. "Lifting will help him get both faster and stronger."
Woodhead, who had 6,527 all-purpose yards at North Platte High School, went out for track as a junior and had a best of 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters during a meet in Gering. He returned to soccer last spring.
Woodhead did not get the D2football.com offensive player of the week honor. That went to Nathan Sannes, the Bemidji State quarterback who completed 34 of 56 passes for 500 yards and five touchdowns against the Eagles on Saturday. Brandon Misener, who makes the selections said he based his decision partially on the fact that Chadron State generally has a stronger defense than Bemidji State.
Barker also did not receive the RMAC defensive player of the week award. That honor went to Daniel Leger, a strong safety for Colorado Mines, which whipped Western State 58-0. Leger was credited with 11 tackles, including nine solos. Three of his tackles were for losses totaling 19 yards and another was for a sack that resulted in a nine-yard loss. In addition, Leger forced a fumble.