Troy beat UAB; Southward, Terry Named Sun Belt Players of the Week

Troy players get recognition for their contributions in their 

win over in state  UAB.

For their performances in Troy's 39-29 win over UAB, last Saturday, Troy senior running back Shawn Southwardand senior defensive back De'Von Terry were named Sun Belt Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday.

The 2009 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Shawn Southward put on an impressive display in Troy's season opener as he rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries in Troy's 39-29 victory over UAB. Southward averaged 7.3 yards per carry and his rushing total was the sixth most in a game in Troy history.

Southward's three rushing touchdowns in a game were one shy of breaking the school record and moved him into fourth place on the Troy career rushing touchdown record. Southward's longest run of the afternoon was a 55-yard burst.

The Florence, Ala. native also became the first Trojan since 2010 to rush for over 100 yards and the first since 2009 to break the 2,000-yard plateau. Southward's rushing total on Saturday was equal to 37 percent of his total from all of 2011. Southward's rushing total was the fifth most in the NCAA over the weekend.

Playing in his first football game since 2007, walk-on senior defensive back De'Von Terry had an interception, recovered a fumble and had five tackles in Troy's 39-29 victory at UAB on Saturday.

Terry's first big play came as UAB was about to score its first points of the game, but the Enterprise, Ala. native pounced on a fumble at the Troy 2-yard line. With Troy leading 25-23 in the fourth quarter, Terry intercepted UAB quarterback Jonathan Perry at the Troy 48-yard line; two plays later Troy found the end zone and put the game out of reach.