BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mississippi College running backs Marcus Williams and Preston Godfrey were both recognized for their outstanding performances in the Choctaws' 35-7 victory over Northeastern State this past weekend, with each player earning Gulf South Conference weekly honors.
Offensive Player of the Week: Marcus Williams
Williams, a senior running back from White Castle, La., turned in a career-best performance, rushing for 189 yards and scoring two touchdowns in the Choctaws' dominant win. He carried the ball 28 times, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt, with his longest run of the day going for 50 yards. Williams accounted for nearly 47 percent of Mississippi College's total offensive yardage, which tallied 404 yards on the day.
His two touchdowns helped solidify the Choctaws' commanding victory over the RiverHawks. With his impressive showing, Williams becomes the second Mississippi College player this season to earn the GSC Offensive Player of the Week honor, joining wide receiver Javier Batiste, who earned the award in Week 5.
Freshman of the Week: Preston Godfrey
Godfrey, a freshman running back from Fairhope, Ala., also played a key role in the Choctaws' win, rushing for a season-high 131 yards on 26 carries. The rookie averaged 5.0 yards per attempt and found the end zone for the second time this season. His performance helped Mississippi College maintain a balanced offensive attack, with Godfrey's 131 yards contributing to the team's overall success.
With this recognition, Godfrey joins a select group of players to win the GSC Freshman of the Week award, and he becomes the first Choctaw to earn the honor since John Henry White in October 2022. The freshman's performance on Saturday pushed his season rushing total to 503 yards, which ranks him second on the team and places him among the top 10 rushing leaders in the GSC.
GSC Honors
Williams and Godfrey's recognition highlights the continued strong play by Mississippi College as the team looks to build momentum in the latter part of the 2024 season. The Choctaws' win over Northeastern State was their fourth of the season and marked a statement performance for the team.
Williams is the second Choctaw to earn Offensive Player of the Week honors this season, joining Batiste, while Godfrey's Freshman of the Week award is the first of his career and the first for Mississippi College this season.
Other notable GSC weekly honorees include West Florida defensive lineman Collin Shaw, who earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after a dominant performance in the Argonauts' win over North Greenville, and Valdosta State linebacker Joko Willis, who was named Special Teams Player of the Week following a pivotal blocked punt and touchdown return.
Looking Ahead
Mississippi College (2-7) will look to carry the momentum from this week's performance as they prepare for their next matchup. The Choctaws will face in-state rival Delta State this coming weekend as they close out the 2024 regular season.
