The South Atlantic Conference announced its WePlayed Sports Football Players of the Week for games played during week six of the 2023 season and Lenoir-Rhyne defensive back T.J. Blanding picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Blanding, a senior from Blythewood, S.C., returned a blocked field goal 84 yards for a touchdown and tied the game with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter of Lenoir-Rhyne’s 31-28 overtime win over Limestone. Blanding also had a pair of tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup in the win. As the Saints lined up for a field goal that would make it a 10-point lead, Blanding and the Bears had other ideas and evened the contest at 28.

The Bears and Blanding return to action this weekend when they host Barton on Homecoming at 2 p.m.