DeSean Bishop and Denver Harper Named Tri-Star CFB Co-Players of the Week
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop (left) and Austin Peay wide receiver Denver Harper (right) combined for six touchdowns in their week five matchups, earning Tri-Star CFB Co-Player of the Week honors.
We once again could not choose just one performance.
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop and Austin Peay wide receiver and return specialist Denver Harper share the honor following their dominant Week 5 performances.
DeSean Bishop Delivers Career-High Performance
Tennessee’s offense struggled early during its 24-14 victory over Auburn.
Freshman Quarterback Faizon Brandon was pulled late in the second quarter after completing just three of his eight passes for negative four yards. An ugly interception inside Tennessee’s own red zone proved to be the final straw, causing head coach Josh Heupel to make a change at quarterback.
Whatever was said in the Tennessee locker room at halftime must have worked because the offense returned to the field inspired—especially senior running back DeSean Bishop.
The Knoxville native and Karns High School graduate exploded in the second half rushing for a total of 220 yards and three touchdowns.
Bishop’s first touchdown came during Tennessee’s first offensive possession of the second half. He found space on the right side and burst for 25 yards and a score.
Bishop must have still had a runner’s high because, on Tennessee’s next offensive snap, he exploded through the middle for a 44-yard touchdown.
His final score came during Tennessee’s last full possession, a drive powered entirely by Bishop’s legs. Auburn went for it on fourth-and-1 from its own 24-yard line, but Tennessee’s defense held strong and gave the offense excellent field position. Bishop then carried the ball five consecutive times for all 24 yards, finishing the drive with a five-yard touchdown that extended Tennessee’s lead to 10.
Bishop established career highs in both rushing yards and touchdowns. His previous career high came just three weeks earlier when he rushed for 147 yards against Georgia Tech. Bishop had recorded multiple rushing touchdowns several times before, but this was the first three-touchdown performance of his career.
For delivering 220 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Auburn, DeSean Bishop is the Tri-Star CFB Co-Player of the Week..
Denver Harper Scores Three Different Ways
Denver Harper has continuously found his way into the Tri-Star Network’s Top 10 College Football Player Rankings.
The freshman has reached the end zone in five of Austin Peay’s six games this season. What separates Harper is the variety of ways he has done it. He now has five receiving touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, two punt-return touchdowns and a missed-field-goal return for a score.
During Austin Peay’s 42–17 victory over New Haven, Harper scored three touchdowns in three different ways.
His first came on the Governors’ opening possession when he caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Chris Parson to give Austin Peay an early lead.
Harper’s second touchdown came late in the second quarter on a punt from New Haven’s Joe Fragale. Harper allowed the ball to bounce twice before eventually picking it up at the Governors’ 17-yard line. He evaded the first wave of tacklers, broke toward the right sideline and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown.
They say lightning never strikes the same place twice, but they have clearly never met Denver Harper.
New Haven’s next possession covered nine plays and advanced the Chargers to Austin Peay’s 40-yard line with just over a minute remaining before halftime. New Haven sent Liam Quigley onto the field to attempt a 56-yard field goal, but the kick fell short and Harper caught it in the back of the end zone.
Harper initially brought the return toward the middle before cutting left and finding nothing but green grass ahead of him. One hundred yards later, he was back in the end zone and Austin Peay carried a 35–10 advantage into halftime.
For scoring three of Austin Peay’s six touchdowns while showcasing his ability as both a receiver and return specialist, Denver Harper is the Tri-Star CFB Co-Player of the Week.
Sharing The Spotlight
Bishop took over an SEC matchup on the ground. Harper changed the game nearly every time the ball reached his hands.
For delivering two of the most dominant performances across the Volunteer State, DeSean Bishop and Denver Harper are the Tri-Star CFB Co-Players of the Week.