Date: Sept. 8, 2003

Contact: Harold Jameson

Two ‘Riders Gain GSC Honors

Magnolia, Ark.—Southern Arkansas University football players Jordan Babineaux and Thomas LaToof were honored as Gulf South Conference Players of the Week Monday following the 27-24 Mulerider win over NCAA Division II 14^th-ranked Tarleton State University on the road last week.

Babineaux, a 6-0, 202-pound cornerback from Port Arthur, Tex., was named the GSC Defensive Player of the Week and LaToof, a 5-10, 185-pound kicker from New Boston, Tex., was selected the Special Teams Player of the Week. Both are seniors.

Babineaux collected seven tackles, including two solos, grabbed two interceptions that were returned 27 yards, added a forced fumble and broke up three passes. It was Babineaux’s forced fumble that allowed teammate Brian Davis to scoop the ball up off the turf and return it 64 yards for an SAU touchdown, which provided the difference in the game’s outcome.

LaToof connected on two of three field goals and was three for three on extra points. He put SAU ahead 3-0 with a 19-yard field goal in the first quarter and extended the advantage 13-0 with a 47-yard field goal in the second period. His only miss of the game was on a 49-yard attempt, which was barely wide.

SAU meets Texas A&M University-Commerce here Saturday at 7 p.m. in their first home game of the season. It will be Take a Kid to the Game day.