Adebayo’s 277-Yard Day Highlights PFL’s Week 9 Awards

Valparaiso's Mark Johnson & Sam Johnson pick up defensive and special teams honors

10/27/2024 3:05:31 PM

By: Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations Director

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – St. Thomas running back Hope Adebayo used the FCS’ best rushing performance this season to claim the Pioneer Football League’s Offensive Player of the Week honor, highlighting the league’s weekly awards announced Sunday.

Valparaiso’s defensive back Mark Johnson and punter Sam Johnson joined Adebayo this week. Mark Johnson broke up a pass late in the fourth quarter to force a turnover on downs and secure the Beacons' first PFL win of 2024. Sam Johnson boomed his 18th punt of 50-plus yards this season, averaging 45.2 yards on five punts in that win.

Offensive

Hope Adebayo , St. Thomas (Senior, Running Back, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota)
Adebayo’s 277-yard rushing performance was the most by an FCS runner this season, and his three touchdowns keyed St. Thomas’ 34-14 victory against San Diego on Saturday. His rushing yardage was the most since Campbell’s Daniel Smith ran for 289 yards against Davidson in 2017.  Adebayo set the tone against the Toreros with a 42-yard touchdown run to open the day’s scoring. He added a 60-yard scoring dash in the third quarter before closing the scoring with a 70-yard touchdown run. Adebayo’s rushing performance outgained San Diego, which was held to 265 offensive yards.
Others Nominated
  • Butler quarterback Andrew Reagan ran for 112 yards and passed for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-38 victory at Davidson.
  • Davidson wide receiver Brody Reina caught five passes for 118 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Butler.
  • Dayton running back Mason Hackett had 21 carries for 82 yards in a loss to Morehead State.
  • Morehead State wide receiver Nate Garnett Jr. caught nine passes for 212 yards and a touchdown in a 14-6 victory at Dayton. His 212 receiving yards were the most in the PFL since 2022 (Presbyterian’s Dominic Kibby vs. Dayton).
  • Presbyterian quarterback Collin Hurst completed 14-of-22 passes for 297 yards and a touchdown in a 42-14 victory at Stetson.
  • Valparaiso running back Michael Mansaray ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in a 17-14 victory at Marist.

Defensive

Mark Johnson, Valparaiso (Sophomore, Defensive Back, Nashville, Tennessee)
Johnson finished a one-two punch of late defensive stops that helped Valparaiso secure a 17-14 victory at Marist. Moments after teammate Nic Lendino batted away a pass in the end zone on 3rd-and-1, Johnson broke up a pass as Marist attempted a flea-flicker on fourth down to force a turnover on downs with 50 seconds remaining in the game. He also had a career-high 10 tackles (two solo) and 1.5 for loss.

Others Nominated
  • Butler cornerback Devaon Holman had a first-quarter 20-yard pick six and a half tackle for loss in Butler’s 48-38.
  • Davidson linebacker John Tessman recorded an interception and had a team-high nine tackles in a loss to Butler.
  • Dayon linebacker Gideon Lampron notched seven tackles (five solo), 3.0 for loss, a sack, and a hurry in a loss to Morehead State.
  • Marist safety Kade Werner finished with a career-high 13 tackles (three solo) in a loss to Valparaiso.
  • Morehead State linebacker had six tackles in a fumble recovery to lead a defense that held Dayton to 198 offensive yards and no touchdowns to claim a 14-6 victory.
  • Presbyterian defensive lineman Jacob Thornton had seven tackles (two solo), 2.0 for loss in a 42-14 victory at Stetson.
  • St. Thomas defensive back Grif Wurtz had an interception and four tackles (one solo) in a 34-14 victory at San Diego.

Special Teams

Sam Johnson, Valparaiso (Senior (RS), Punter, Birmingham, Alabama)
Johnson averaged 45.2 yards on his five punts in Valparaiso’s 17-14 victory at Marist. He helped the Beacons control the field position battle at key moments, with two of his five punts downed inside the 20-yard line, including one that forced Marist to start a drive from its seven-yard line. Johnson also uncorked a 61-yard punt – his 18th punt of 50-plus yards this season.  
Others Nominated
  • Dayton safety Ca’ron Coleman made two tackles inside the 15-yard line as part of his kick return defense role, helping the Flyers limit Morehead State to 16 yards on kick returns.
About the Pioneer Football League
The Pioneer Football League is the only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The PFL is a truly national conference with members on each coast and throughout the nation’s heartland. Butler University, the University of Dayton, Drake University, and Valparaiso University were among the league’s founding members in 1993, with Davidson College, Marist College, Morehead State University, Presbyterian College, the University of San Diego, the University of St. Thomas, and Stetson University joining to form the current 11-team league.