Abenoja, Brown Honored as MIAA Players of the Week - KOAM TV 7

Abenoja, Brown Honored as MIAA Players of the Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sophomore quarterback Anthony Abenoja and junior return specialist John Brown each earned player of the week honors from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Monday (Sept. 3) for their play in No. 1 Pitt State's 41-20 season-opening victory over Northeastern State last Thursday (Aug. 30).

Making his first collegiate start, Abenoja established a new Pitt State single game passing record. He was 26 of 36 on the night throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns, completing 72 percent of his throws.

Abenoja (6-3, 218) tossed an eight-yard touchdown pass to Brown that capped off a 12-play, 87-yards drive on the opening series of the season. The Overland Park, Kan., native added two more scoring passes, including a second connection to Brown.

Brown (5-11, 171) compiled a game high 270 all-purpose yards to help spark the top-ranked Gorillas over the River Hawks. He averaged 29.0 yards on three punt returns, including a 51-yard play, and he had another punt return for a touchdown that was nullified by a running into the kicker penalty.

The Homestead, Fla., native also averaged 21.5 yards per return on two kickoffs, and he caught a game-high nine passes for 140 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Gorillas.