Yanez, Watkins Earn OVC Player of the Week Honors
October 05, 2026 | Football
Runnin’ Bulldogs earn a pair of defensive accolades following 12-10 win over Charleston Southern
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — The Gardner-Webb football team added a pair of accolades as linebacker Tre Yanez and defensive lineman Zalen Watkins were named Ohio Valley Conference Players of the Week by the league office Monday. Yanez was selected as the Defensive Player of the Week while Watkins earned Rookie of the Week honors.
Yanez anchored a dominant defensive effort in Gardner-Webb's 12-10 victory over Charleston Southern Saturday night in the North-South BBQ Bowl. The junior from Frisco, Texas, led all players with a game-high 13 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Yanez helped the Runnin' Bulldogs hold Charleston Southern to just 178 total yards and 38 passing yards while forcing the Buccaneers into an 0-for-12 mark on third down. The honor marks Yanez's second OVC Player of the Week selection in the last three weeks.
The Runnin' Bulldogs' defense came up with several crucial plays throughout the contest, including two fourth-down stops and a scoreless fourth quarter. Gardner-Webb denied Charleston Southern at the goal line before making another fourth-down stop in the closing seconds to preserve the victory. The win marked Gardner-Webb's fifth consecutive victory over the Buccaneers and its first OVC win of the season.
Watkins made an immediate impact, recording six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. The redshirt freshman from Forest City, N.C. also added two quarterback hurries as the Runnin' Bulldogs registered five sacks as a team.
The honors give Gardner-Webb two OVC Player of the Week selections following its first conference victory of the season. It also marks the third consecutive week that the Runnin' Bulldogs have had multiple players earn OVC Player of the Week honors. Yanez has now earned two weekly honors in the last three weeks, while Watkins earns his first career OVC weekly accolade.
The Runnin' Bulldogs return home Saturday, Oct. 10, when they host Eastern Illinois in an OVC matchup at Spangler Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
