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Big South Conference announces football players of the week

From Big South Sports

CHARLOTTE, NC - Stony Brook sophomore running back Edwin Gowins (Bellport, N.Y.) has been named the Choice Hotels Big South Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Charleston Southern senior defensive back Matt Bach (Jacksonville, Fla.) has been selected as the Defensive Player of the Week for games played during the final weekend of the 2009 season, it was announced today by the Conference office.  In addition, Buccaneers' kicker John Paglia (Ocala, Fla.) is the Special Teams Player of the Week, while Presbyterian College punter Patrick Morgano (Greenville, S.C.) is The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week.

Gowins rushed for a season-high 165 yards and matched his career-high with three touchdowns to help Stony Brook to a share of the Big South title with its 36-33 victory over No. 16 Liberty.  On his second carry of the game, Gowins burst through the LU defense for a 52-yard touchdown run to put Stony Brook ahead, 7-0.  After Liberty tied the game at 7-7, Gowins ran for a total of 43 yards on SBU's next drive and scored from 11 yards out to give the Seawolves a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.  After the Flames took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter (26-21), Gowins answered again, this time bowling past the Flames from 42 yards away to regain the advantage for SBU.  Gowins averaged 9.2 yards per carry and seven of his rushes resulted in first downs.

Bach had four tackles (three solo) and his first career interception in Charleston Southern's 30-23 win over Coastal Carolina.   His pick came at an opportune time for the Buccaneers, as CSU was ahead seven points with 4:38 remaining, and just turned the ball over to the Chanticleers.  On Coastal Carolina's first play from scrimmage, Bach intercepted Zach MacDowall's pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown that put CSU up 30-16.

For the second-straight week, Paglia connected on three of his four field goal attempts and finished the day with 12 points in leading Charleston Southern past Coastal Carolina.  He made kicks from 25, 44 and 18 yards, as well as all three PAT attempts, to keep the Buccaneers ahead of the Chanticleers.  Paglia finished the season with a school-record 16 field goals.

Morgano averaged 39.3 yards on his six punts against Gardner-Webb, pinning a career-high four inside the Runnin' Bulldogs' 20-yard line.  He boomed one kick 50 yards and another 44 yards, and GWU managed just one yard on two punt returns on the afternoon.