BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Junior quarterback Xavier Lankford (Pelham, Ala.) became the first Alabama A&M signal caller since one Aqeel Glass to earn Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Offensive Player of the Week following a performance for the ages as announced by that organization on Monday, November 21.
 
Taking on a Texas Southern (11/19) program looking to earn a berth in the SWAC title game, Lankford was a key figure in dashing their hopes.
 
On the day the true dual threat connected on 6-of-8 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown and devastated the Tigers on the ground, going for 76 yards and a pair of TDs on just seven carries. The latter would come in a massive fourth quarter comeback.
 
Trailing 20-3 with just over 13 minutes to play, Lankford would lead a drive that culminated in his own five-yard touchdown scamper at 10:51 and then found Cameron Young on a 34-yard TD strike to make it 20-17 with 6:13 to play.
 
Taking over with just under four minutes left, Lankford got the Bulldogs to a 4th and 1 from 38 yards out. Instead of just picking up the yard to keep the drive alive he broke through up the middle for an eventual game-winning 38-yard touchdown that setup a 24-20 come-from-behind victory. The win ended TSU's season where a win would have put them in the SWAC Championship Game.
 
The honor is the first of his career and he joins Donovan Eaglin as a SWAC Offensive Player of the Week honoree this season, with the tailback picking up the recognition on October 3. Dre Terry also collected Defensive Player of the Week honors on October 17.
 
Lankford and the Bulldogs wrapped up the season with a 4-7 overall record and 4-4 mark in league play with that victory over the Tigers and positioned himself well heading into the 2023 campaign.
 
2022 ALABAMA A&M WEEKLY BOXTOROW HONORS (1)
National Player of the Week
Donovan Eaglin (10/3)
 
2022 ALABAMA A&M WEEKLY SWAC HONORS (3)
Offensive Player of the Week
Xavier Lankford (11/21)
Donovan Eaglin (10/3)
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Dre Terry (10/17)