Tucker Voted SAC And NAIA Defensive POW, Higuera SAC Special Teams POW
Glendale, Ariz.- On Monday, the NAIA and SAC announced their player of the week honors and Arizona Christian was selected at least once by both voting committees. Sophomore safety Riley Tucker was named the NAIA and SAC Defensive Player of the Week. Sophomore kicker Nestor Higuera was the SAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
The Firestorm tandem shared player of the week honors for the second time this season after helping ACU comeback from a 21 point fourth quarter deficit to beat OUAZ by ten on Saturday.
Tucker, from Burleson, TX, topped the Firestorm with 11 tackles- nine of the solo variety. The safety found the end zone from 40 yards out after collecting a fumble and weaving though would be tacklers. As the holder for Higuera, Tucker converted a fake PAT into a two point conversion. While he did not haul in an interception against OUAZ, Tucker remains tied for second in the NAIA with four interceptions.
For Tucker, Monday was his second SAC Defensive Player of the Week honor in a three week span and his first NAIA nod.
Higuera, out of Phoenix, AZ, went 5-5 kicking extra points even while slipping and falling on one attempt against the rival Spirit. He remains a perfect 29-29 on extra points this season. Higuera’s seven kick-offs traveled 414 yards for a 59.1 average and one touchback. After not attempting a field goal against OUAZ, Higuera stayed at 5-8 kicking field goals on the year.
Monday marked the third time this season that Higuera has been named the SAC Special Teams Player of the Week. Higuera was selected earlier in the year for NAIA POW recognition.
With Tucker and Higuera playing a huge role against OUAZ, ACU football improved to 3-0 in SAC play this season. Arizona Christian will host Lyon on Saturday.
Congratulations on the player of the week selections.
