No. 5 Arkansas shut down the 12th-ranked Tennessee passing attack in the 31-14 win

Master Football Coaches Award MCS Nike™ Game Balls
No. 5 Arkansas' Reggie Herring named Defensive Coordinator of the Week

By MCS Staff

ATLANTA (November 13, 2006) – The fifth-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks vaulted into the Top 5 of the Master Coaches Poll this week following their 31-14 win over No. 14 Tennessee.  Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring orchestrated an impressive plan to stop the 12th-ranked Volunteer passing offense.  His Razorbacks held Tennessee’s air attack far below their average, which completed only 16-of-34 passes for just 174 yards.  Herring’s defense stymied Tennessee in the second half, as they never threatened until a 39-yard touchdown pass was completed with 30 seconds remaining in the game.  No. 5 Arkansas can wrap-up the SEC Western Division title with a win over Mississippi State this coming weekend.  For his team’s outstanding performance, Reggie Herring is awarded the “MCS Nike™ Game Ball” for the Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

He is the second member of Arkansas football to receive an MCS Nike™ Game Ball this season.  Running back and kick returner Felix Jones was named Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Ole Miss earlier this season. 

Each week during the 2006 college football season, the 17 Master Football Coaches will award an MCS Nike™ Game Ball to the respective schools of an Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week. The Master Coaches will also present a game ball to the offensive and defensive coordinator whose game plans made the biggest impact in their respective teams' victory.

In addition to Herring, the Master Football Coaches will also award MCS Nike™ Game Balls to Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman, Georgia safety Tra Battle, Florida defensive end/special teamer Jarvis Moss and Wake Forest offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke.

Offense
Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State

Kansas State notched its biggest win under first-year head coach Ron Prince, with a 45-42 upset win over No. 3 Texas.  Wildcat quarterback Josh Freeman was a major factor in the stunning upset of the third-ranked Longhorns.  He passed for three touchdowns and ran in another, while completing 19-of-26 passes for 269 yards.  He connected with nine different receivers, as he tallied six passes of 20 yards or more and led his offense on seven scoring drives.

Defense
Tra Battle, S Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs may have salvaged their season with a 37-15 win in “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” against No. 5 Auburn.  Senior safety Tra Battle had a career game, tying a school-record with three interceptions - all coming in the first half.  Battle returned his second interception 30 yards to pay dirt and his third pick resulted in a Bulldog touchdown that helped give them a commanding 30-7 halftime lead.  He also tallied four tackles and one pass break up in the upset victory.

Special Teams
Jarvis Moss, DE Florida

After South Carolina took a 16-10 lead, Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss blocked the extra point, opening the door for the No. 4 team.  Freshman quarterback Tim Tebow scored giving Florida a 17-16 advantage late in the fourth quarter, and Moss came up with another huge special teams play.  He batted down South Carolina kicker Ryan Succop’s 48-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds remaining, preserving the win.  He also tallied a career-high 8 tackles in the game.

Offensive Coordinator
Steed Lobotzke, Wake Forest