EAST GREENSBORO – Senior defensive lineman Shomari Wallace and junior kickoff returner Taymon Cooke proved on Saturday that football is not just about a high-powered offense.
Both players earned Big South Conference weekly honors from the conference on Monday for proving the point in a 20-10 win over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers last Saturday. Wallace earned defensive player of the week, and Cooke secured special teams player of the week. 
Wallace collected his first career weekly accolade after recording career highs in tackles (8), solo tackles (6), tackles for loss (3) and sacks (2).
"I thought that young man played a fantastic game," said Washington. "He stayed in their backfield the entire game because he was so explosive off the ball. But what is more impressive is that he played a lot of snaps, more than usual. So, for him to have that type of effort is impressive."
Cooke had one of the more significant moments of the game. The Aggies trailed 7-0 in the second quarter following a 13-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a 34-yard touchdown reception by Bucs receiver Nivon Holland. Cooke took the ensuing kickoff and sprinted 95 yards, mainly down the sideline, to tie the 
game.
"It was super important. It got our adrenaline going," said Cooke about the kickoff return. "Instead of going into halftime down, we went in with the game tied. Then, we brought it in the second half, so it definitely helped a lot. But I was just glad we could put some points on the board."
Cooke secured his first career kickoff return for a touchdown and his first career weekly honor. Andrew Brown was the only other Aggie to earn a special teams player of the week honor this season after securing the award on Sept. 26. It is the same day Wesley Gaves earned Big South freshman of the week.
Wallace is the third Aggie to win defensive player of the week. Cornerback Karon Prunty earned the accolade on Oct. 3, and linebacker Jacobs was recognized on Nov. 7. In addition, running back Bhayshul Tuten has won two weekly offensive awards (Sept. 26, Oct. 31), and quarterback Jalen Fowler has one (Oct. 24).
Cooke, Wallace and the Aggies will battle for the Big South championship on Saturday when they travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to face the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs Saturday at noon at Spangler Stadium. Both teams are 4-0 in the conference. The winner will earn a berth in the NCAA Division I-FCS playoffs.
