BATON ROUGE — Running back Jacob Hester and soccer’s Michelle Makasini were named the LSU Male and Female Athletes of the Week on Tuesday following a vote by a local media panel.
Hester rushed for a career-high 106 yards and the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute left on the clock in LSU’s 28-24 win over Florida on Saturday. En route to the score, the senior from Shreveport, La., twice converted on fourth down as he carried the ball eight times on the LSU’s final possession, a drive that consumed 60 yards on 15 plays and took over eight minutes off the clock.
In all, Hester averaged 4.6 yards per touch on his career-high 23 carries against a defense that entered the game allowing just 63 yards per contest.
He was also recognized as the Sporting News Player of the Week, the SEC Offensive Player of the Week and the CBS Player of the Game for his efforts.
Makasini scored three goals in leading the Tigers to a 3-0 victory over No. 6 Tennessee on Friday night and a 1-1 draw against No. 18 Georgia on Sunday afternoon.
The sophomore from Euless, Texas, scored two goals against the Lady Vols, including the game-winner in the 21st minute, to propel LSU to its first win over an opponent ranked in the top 10 in program history.
Against Georgia, Makasini scored the equalizing goal in the 60th minute of the contest.
Makasini finished the weekend with eight shots, including five on goal. She now ranks as the Tigers’ second-leading scorer this season with seven goals and 16 points to her credit.
For her efforts Makasini was also named the Soccer America National Player of the Week and the SEC Offensive Player of the Week. She was also named to the Soccer America Women’s National Team of the Week, the Soccer Buzz National Elite Team of the Week and the Top Drawer Soccer Women’s College Team of the Week.