PHILADELPHIA, PA—South Carolina State senior safeties Dominique Ellis and Christian Thompson both earned national recognition, after being named The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Co-Defensive National Players of the Week, Monday.
The former pair of BCS conference players, Ellis (North Carolina State) and Thompson (Auburn) each earned the honor after playing large roles in SC State's 26-18 win against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.
The Bulldog players combined for 19 tackles and four interceptions. All four picks came at key moments, as Ellis (R-Senior, 5-11, 195, FS, Union City, GA) derailed a Bethune-Cookman drive with an interception at the 1-yard line and then took back a pick-six with four minutes remaining to give the Bulldogs a 26-18 lead.
Not to be outdone, Thompson (Senior, 6-1, 220, SS, North Lauderdale, FL) finished with 11 tackles, while intercepting a Wildcat pass in his own end zone early in the game. He later sealed the victory for the Bulldogs by picking off a pass with 25 seconds remaining when the Wildcats were 40 yards from a potential game-tying touchdown.
This is Ellis second honor, earlier he was named MEAC Defense Player of the Week the league announced Monday.
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