A&M-Commerce Sweeps Lone Star Conference North Division Player of the Week Honors

The Texas A&M University-Commerce football program swept the weekly honors announced by Lone Star Conference officials on Monday.

Junior wide receiver Willie Thornton (right) (Belle Glade, Fla.) was named the Lone Star Conference North Division Offensive Player of the Week after a record-setting performance against Eastern New Mexico. Thornton caught seven passes for a school record 266 yards and matched a school record with four touchdowns. He set a school record with a 98-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

Junior kicker/punter Juan Velasco (left) (Santa Maria, Calif.) was selected as the Lone Star Conference North Division Special Teams Player of the Week after making 4 of 5 extra points in the Lions' 38-14 win over Eastern New Mexico. He also handled the punting duties on a full-time basis for the first time on the season. Velasco punted the ball a season-best eight times for an average of 41.1 yards a kick, including three punts inside-the-20 and a 59-yard kick. It is the second weekly honor for Velasco.

Junior Cory Whitfield (left) (Palestine, Texas) earned Lone Star Conference North Division Defensive Player of the Week honors after his role against the spread offense of Eastern New Mexico making a season-best seven tackles. He broke off a block for a leaping interception in the first quarter that led to the first A&M-Commerce touchdown. He also was a member of an A&M-Commerce defense that recorded seven sacks, 13 tackles for minus yardage, forced two fumbles and picked off three passes.