By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – True freshman wide receiver and kick returner Metrius Fleming added another accolade on Monday as he was named an honorable mention selection for this week's STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week.
The true freshman from Elberton, Ga., was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Newcomer of the Week on Sunday, following an outstanding effort against visiting UVa-Wise, resulting in a 31-14 win for the Golden Eagles.
He was one of 10 players selected as an honorable mention after Lafayette QB Keegan Shoemaker won the National Freshman of the Week award. The other honorable mentions included Darren Butts, RB/KR, Hampton; Tyrese Chambers, WR, Sacred Heart; Nick Eaton, LB, UC Davis; Tra Fluellen, S, Houston Baptist; Braden Gilby, ILB, Furman; Hollis Mathis, QB, William & Mary; Joel Parker, DE, Kennesaw State and Sam Webster, PK, Dayton.
Fleming ended the contest with 161 all-purpose yards, including a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, one of 11 thus far this season on the Football Championship Subdivision level.
The kickoff return TD is tied for the 13th longest scoring play in Tennessee Tech history with John Deathridge's 91-yard interception return against East Tennessee State in 1975. Dontez Byrd's 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against Mercer in 2016 and Dickie Fulton's kick return TD against ETSU in 1973 remain the longest in program history.
The Elberton, Ga., native also had three catches for 65 yards and three rushes for five yards.
Including his kick returns in the first two games of the season against Samford and FBS Miami (Ohio), Fleming is averaging 60.7 yards per return and ranks 23rd nationally in combined kick return yardage (182).
That is the third recognition from STATS FCS this season as Tech was named an honorable mention for Team of the Week and sophomore quarterback Bailey Fisher was named the National Offensive Player of the Week following Week 1's double-overtime win over Samford.
Tech returns to action on Saturday as it travels to Western Illinois with a 3 p.m. kick set in Macomb, Ill.
Photo by Tony Marable
