MSC ANNOUNCES BLUEGRASS DIVISION FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Bethel's (Tenn.) Vonte Bates, Cumberlands' Martize Smith, and Lindsey Wilson's (Ky.) Ian Sauter are the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division Football Players of the Week, conference officials announced on Monday.

Pioneer College Caterers are the proud sponsor of the Mid-South Conference Football Players of the Week Award program. Pioneer College Caterers is an organization committed to providing for the foodservice needs of Christian colleges and universities.

MSC Bluegrass Defensive Player of the Week

Vonte Bates - Bethel (Tenn.) - Sr. - Defensive Back – Watertown, Tenn.

• Bates finished with 22 tackles in a loss to No. 1-ranked Lindsey Wilson on Saturday.
• He recorded 12 solo tackles and 10 assisted tackles in the game, including sharing a tackle for a loss.
• Bates added an interception to his day.
• This season, Bates is averaging 8.4 tackles per game -- which ranks 31st in the NAIA.
• Bates picks up the second MSC weekly honor of the season and of his career.

• While punting, Sauter averaged 42.3 yards per punt and pinned Bethel inside the 20 on three of his four punts.
• Sauter also averaged 54.4 yards per kickoff, including three touchbacks.
• He is averaging 7.1 points per game -- which ranks 50th in the NAIA -- and 38.5 yards per punt this season.
• Sauter earns the third MSC weekly honor of the season and the fifth of his career.