BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Two Eastern Kentucky University football players picked up Ohio Valley Conference honors a day after falling to Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky in overtime. Stanley Absanon was chosen as the OVC Specialist of the Week and Chris Kelly earned OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Absanon, a 5-foot-11 senior cornerback from Auburndale, Florida, was a game-changer on special teams. He totaled 141 yards in the return game, averaging 25.4 yards on five kickoff returns. His 42-yard return to open the third quarter fueled Eastern’s go-ahead touchdown. The offense only had to cover 54 yards to take a 13-7 lead. His 19-yard punt return early in the fourth quarter gave the Colonels the ball at the UK 26 yard line, which they soon converted into another touchdown and a 20-13 lead against the SEC team.
In addition to his work on special teams, Absanon (pictured above) has a 22-yard interception return, a pass break-up and four tackles on defense.
Kelly (pictured right), a 5-foot-11 senior linebacker from Cold Spring, Kentucky, finished with 11 tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry against the Wildcats.
The Colonels have a short week to prepare for a visit from Tennessee Tech on Thursday at Roy Kidd Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Photos by EKU Athletics