Zbydniewski, Stephens and Windsor Earn Weekly Honors
Published on April 23, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - Cleveland Gladiators QB BRIAN ZBYDNIEWSKI has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Spokane Shock DB PAUL STEPHENS has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Arizona Rattlers WR ROD WINDSOR has been named J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 5 of the 2013 NET10 Wireless Arena Football League season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week and AFL Highlight of the Week. Utah Blaze WR AARON LESUE earned the Cutters Catch of the Week, while Chicago Rush K JOSE MARTINEZ and Cleveland Gladiators K ROSS GORNALL were awarded the AFL Highlights of the Week.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Zbydniewski (6-1, 205, Bellhaven) completed 24-of-33 passes for 316 yards and eight touchdowns in Cleveland's 64-57 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Soul in Week 5. The Gladiators' signal-caller completed a season-high 72.7 percent of his passes in the contest. He also rushed for a score for the third time in four games.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stephens (5-9, 175, Central Missouri) set a new AFL single-game record with five interceptions in Spokane's 69-47 victory over the San Jose SaberCats in Week 5. Stephens came into the game without a single pick on the year. He now leads the League with five through five weeks.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Windsor (6-2, 205, Western New Mexico) tallied three of his season-high five touchdown receptions in the first quarter of Arizona's 83-40 victory over the San Antonio Talons in Week 5. It was Windsor's third consecutive game with a touchdown reception. He finished the night with 12 catches for 166 yards and five scores. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Lesue (5-10, 200, Utah State) made a diving 38-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of Utah's 56-59 loss to the Chicago Rush in Week 5. It was the second of Lesue's three touchdown catches on the night, as he finished the game with eight receptions for 136 yards and three scores. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Gornall (6-0, 200, Florida Atlantic) made his first career field goal in Week 5. The rookie nailed a 45-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to send the Gladiators and Soul into overtime, where Cleveland would come away with a 64-57 victory.
Martinez (5-10, 205, UTEP) connected on a 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Chicago Rush a 59-56 victory over the Utah Blaze in Week 5. It was the second field goal attempt Martinez has converted on this season. He has connected on a League-leading 97 percent of his extra point tries in 2013.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included : Arizona's Nick Davila, Chicago's Carson Coffman, Jacksonville's Jeron Harvey, Orlando's Chris Dixon, Pittsburgh's PJ Berry and Spokane's Erik Meyer.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included : Arizona's Virgil Gray, Chicago's Jorrick Calvin, Cleveland's Brandon Anderson, Jacksonville's Jerry Turner, New Orleans' James Bryant and Tampa Bay's De'Audra Dix.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included : Chicago's Vic Hall, Cleveland's Thyron Lewis, Iowa's Marcus Harris, New Orleans' Derek Lee, Orlando's Dominic Jones and Utah's Aaron Lesue.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the AFL MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Arizona Rattlers WR ROD WINDSOR, Cleveland Gladiators QB BRIAN ZBYDNIEWSKI and Spokane Shock DB PAUL STEPHENS. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 24. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 25.
Arena Football League Stories from April 23, 2013
- Shock prepare for second home game of 2013 after 5-0 start - Spokane Shock
- Storm heads to Spokane to take on the Shock on April 27 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Gladiators QB Named Player of the Week - Cleveland Gladiators
- Zbydniewski, Stephens and Windsor Earn Weekly Honors - AFL
- Jaws and the Philadelphia Soul Return to Evesham - Philadelphia Soul
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