WALESKA, Ga. – University of Pikeville quarterback Xavier Malone has been named offensive player of the week by the AAC on Monday.
 
It is the third time this season Malone has won the honor.
 
Malone is a 6-1, 187-pound graduate student from Knoxville, Tenn., who was 31 for 44 for 408 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday's 44-0 win over the University of Rio Grande (Ohio).
 
Malone threw touchdown passes covering 12, 17, 15 and 32 yards in the win.
 
It is turning into a masterful season for Malone. His totals of 178 completions on 252 attempts not only leads the league but is also tops in the nation.
 
Also, his average of 379.2 passing yards per game is the country's best.
 
He has completed 70.63 percent of his pass attempts, which leads the league and is third in the NAIA, and his total passing yards of 1,896 is also the best in the conference and third best in the country.
 
Malone was named offensive player of the week after going 37 of 53 for 437 yards and two touchdowns against Campbellsville, and after he was 40 of 56 for 373 yards with a touchdown at Maryville (Tenn.).
 
Through five games this season he has had four games of at least 300 passing yards and three games where he surpassed 400 yards.
 
UPike will be back in action on Saturday afternoon at the W.C. Hambley Athletic Complex when they host Point (Ga.) University. It will wrap up homecoming week, with the crowning of the king and queen prior to the 1:30 p.m. kickoff.