Panther’s Cato Gulf South Conference Player of the Week
By Ryan Jones, Assistant Athletic Director, Communications // September 9, 2014
also earned GSC first freshman of the week award
ABOVE VIDEO: Florida Tech quarterback Mark Cato was 7 out of 15 passing for 191 yards and a TD as he lead the Panthers over Stetson 54-12. Cato put on a show in his first collegiate start. He connected with Xavier Milton for a 69-yard touchdown on his first passing attempt. That completion was longer than any passing touchdown in the team’s inaugural season last year. Cato went on to run for two scores and threw for another touchdown in the game’s first 15 minutes.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – A standout performance in his first collegiate game last Saturday has earned Florida Tech redshirt freshman Mark Cato the program’s first Gulf South Conference Player of the Week honor, announced on Monday.
Cato also earned the league’s first freshman of the week award. The Alachua, Florida native guided the Panthers to a 54-12 win in their season opener at Stetson. He threw for four touchdowns and ran for two in FIT’s largest victory in its 13-game history. He also helped the offense score on its first five possessions. On his first passing attempt, Cato found Xavier Milton for a 69-yard touchdown. He connected with him one more time on the team’s fourth possession to put the Panthers ahead 23-0. He found Milton’s counterpart, Aaron George, on his final two touchdown passes in the second and third quarters.
Cato totaled 191 yards in the air on 7-of-15 passing. He also gained 63 yards on 19 rushing attempts.
West Georgia linebacker Tyrell Adams was named the conference’s first defensive player of the week for the 2014 season. Valdosta State punter/kicker Anthony Pistelli was chosen special teams player of the week. Cato becomes the second Panther to earn a GSC weekly award. Brion Ashley was named special teams player of the week following week two of FIT’s inaugural 2013 season.
