Tenn OL Arron Sears shut down the UGA defensive ends and is named Co-Offensive Player of the Week

Master Football Coaches Award MCS Game Balls
Tennessee Offensive Tackles Arron Sears and Eric Young named Offensive Players of the Week

By MCS Staff

ATLANTA (October 9, 2006) –  Tennessee quarterback Eric Ainge faced Georgia’s fearsome defense, the nation’s best scoring defensive unit, in the hostile environment at Athens.  No. 14 Tennessee became just the second team to put up 50 points on Georgia’s home field, while coming from behind for a stunning 51-33 victory Saturday night.  Ainge felt he had all the time in the world as he took apart the Bulldogs stingy defense.

Ainge, who was sacked only once on a safety blitz, credited his offensive line for keeping him virtually untouched.  The Volunteers massive offensive tackles, Arron Sears and Eric Young were able to neutralize Georgia’s feared defensive ends, Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson all night long.  For their impressive performance, Arron Sears and Eric Young are each awarded the "MCS Game Ball" for offensive players of the week.

Each week during the 2006 college football season, the 17 Master Football Coaches will award an MCS 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 Sears and Young, the Master Football Coaches will also award MCS Game Balls to Texas cornerback Aaron Ross, Clemson defensive lineman Gaines Adams, Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen and California defensive coordinator Bob Gregory.

Offense
Arron Sears and Eric Young, OL Tennessee

Tennessee offensive tackles Arron Sears and Eric Young turned in monster protection performances against Georgia’s impressive defensive line, allowing Vols quarterback Erik Ainge to pass for 268 yards while completing 25 of 38 passes in Tennessee’s win over Georgia.  Ainge said, “I can’t say I ever felt the pressure.  Football is easy when you have that much time.”

Defense
Aaron Ross, CB Texas
The Texas Longhorns were the beneficiaries of two interceptions by cornerback Aaron Ross against Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout.  With just more than seven minutes left in the game, Ross began dismantling the Sooners as he made two interceptions and a fumble recovery that he ran back for a touchdown, as Texas handed Oklahoma a 28-10 spanking in their storied rivalry.

Special Teams
Gaines Adams, DL Clemson

It looked like another loss for Clemson on Wake Forest’s home field.  The Demon Deacons were preparing to kick a field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter that would extend their lead to 20-3.  Fortuitously, Gaines Adams saved the day, and possibly the season for Clemson.  After a muffed snap on the field goal attempt, Adams clobbered the holder, causing a fumble that he recovered, and rumbled 66 yards for a momentum shifting touchdown.  Clemson caught fire after being inspired by Adams’ outstanding play and went on to score 17 more points in the fourth quarter to defeat Wake Forest 27-17.

Offensive Coordinator
Dan Mullen, Florida

With star running back DeShawn Wynn out, Florida’s offense needed to find a way to score points against the stingy LSU defense.  “You’ve got to be creative in this league,” Gators Coach Urban Meyer said.  Offensive Coordinator Dan Mullen created a two-headed monster, utilizing the respective strengths of quarterbacks Chris Leak and Tim Tebow in his spread offense.  Tebow ran nine times for 35 yards, while Leak was 17-of-26 for 155 yards passing.  Mullen surprised the Tiger defense by having the run-oriented Tebow throw a jump pass for a touchdown and another touchdown pass off of a fake run.  The Florida offense produced nearly 300 yards against LSU, the nation’s best defense.

Defensive Coordinator
Bob Gregory, California