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SU's Clark, Sitton named Mid-South Football Players of the Week
By Matt Green
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Shorter junior safety Desmond Clark and sophomore slotback Jonny Sitton have been named the Mid-South Conference's respective Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week the league announced today.
The honors are the first in the careers of both Clark and Sitton and come after their performances helped Shorter upset 20th-ranked Webber International 42-10 on Saturday in Lake Wales, Fla.
Clark returned an interception for a touchdown to earn MSC Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
The safety out of nearby Rome High School who led Shorter with three picks in 2010, recorded his first interception of the season and returned it 100 yards for a score just before halftime to give the Hawks a 28-3 lead. The interception return set a program record for longest interception return and longest defensive return for a touchdown.
Sitton, a transfer from the University of South Florida, racked up 168 return yards on Saturday to earn MSC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
The Largo, Fla., running back averaged 48.5 yards per punt return and returned his only kickoff for 71 yards. His 71-yard kickoff return and 70-yard punt return both set up Shorter touchdown passes. Sitton also caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from David Byrd for Shorter's first points of the season and finished with 44 yards receiving on two catches.
Through his one game this season, Sitton leads the NAIA in punt return average and ranks second in all-purpose yards (225).
Shorter moved to 1-0 on the season with the win and broke a string of three straight losses in season opening games.
The Hawks will host the University of Pikeville this Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1:30 pm at Barron Stadium in their 2011 home opener. Shorter is 3-2 all-time against the Bears (2-0) and have won three straight in the series.
