The Great Lakes Valley Conference named Lincoln kick returner Vanzell Richardson the Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday morning.
In Lincoln's second season in the GLVC, Richardson is the first Blue Tiger to be tabbed with the honor, and is the second to ever receive an individual GLVC award. Former Lincoln running back Morris Henderson picked up offensive honors for a six-touchdown performance against Quincy in 2013.
Richardson ran a kickoff back 82 yards for a touchdown Saturday in the 42-37 loss at Quincy. The return occurred after the home side scored back-to-back touchdowns early in the second quarter. The score narrowed Quincy's lead to 21-17.
The San Bernardino, Calif., native had three kick returns for 116 total yards. Richardson had two punt returns for 12 yards in Week 1.
As the No. 3 Blue Tiger wide out, Richardson had one catch for 11 yards Saturday. The senior has three catches for 56 total yards on the season.
The conference also announced McKendree's Isaac Fisher as the offensive player of the week for his role in their 27-24 non-conference comeback win against Northwood University. Fisher accounted for 433 total yards of offense. Austin Truvillion of Missouri S&T earned defensive honors for his 15-tackle performance in a 10-7 win against Truman State.
III
Lincoln junior running back Miles Drummond recorded 24 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown in three quarters of play Saturday. He didn't play near the end of the third quarter and through the fourth while he was dealing with cramps and tightness, according to Lincoln head coach Mike Jones.
Drummond was listed as the starting running back in Monday's projected two-deeps. Jones said he is "good to go" for Saturday's GLVC home opener against Truman State.
In Drummond's absence, freshman running back Travis Alonzo made the most of his opportunity with 12 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Alonzo also caught a 44-yard pass, setting up his 6-yard touchdown run that closed the scoring at 42-37 with less than a minute remaining.
Alonzo is not listed on Monday's two-deep as junior Keith Lakey is again the backup. Lakey rushed for 26 yards on seven carries Saturday.