JACKSON, Miss. - After leading the Blazers on a winning touchdown drive at Methodist, freshman quarterback Matthew Dial has been named both the USA South Offensive Player of the Week and Offensive Rookie of the Week, the conference announced Monday afternoon.

The recognition marks Dial's first Offensive Player of the Week award and his second Offensive Rookie of the Week selection.

The Ocala, Florida, native set career highs with 29 completions and 355 passing yards in Saturday's 20-15 road victory. He completed 29 of 40 attempts, a 72.5 percent completion rate, and threw two touchdown passes as Belhaven improved to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

He attempted the most pass attempts by a Blazer since 2019 (40), while also completing 72% of his passes. He's the first Blazer since current Pass Game Coordinator Mayowa Asogunla in 2021 to have multiple games in the same season with a completion percentage of at least 70%.

His best work last weekend came with the game on the line.

Trailing 15-14, Belhaven took over at its own 10-yard line with 2:52 remaining. Dial completed all six passes on the ensuing possession, covering 90 yards in just 1:38. He opened with an 18-yard completion to Wyatt Locastro, then found John Davis for 43 yards to move the Blazers into Methodist territory.

After completions to Kaleb Browning and Cannon Carruth, Dial connected with Locastro for seven yards on third and two. On the next play, he hit Carruth for a 14-yard touchdown with 1:14 left. Belhaven's defense stopped Methodist on its final possession to secure the win.

Dial also helped the Blazers put together touchdown drives of 70 and 95 yards earlier in the game. Before halftime, his 14-yard completion to Locastro converted fourth and one, and consecutive throws to Carruth moved Belhaven to the Methodist 1 yardline. Clayton Mains finished the possession with a touchdown run for a 7-6 lead.

In the third quarter, Dial found Dwayne Winfield for 51 yards on third and 15 before capping the 95-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Draten Norwood.

Through seven appearances this season, Dial has completed 78 of 119 passes for 977 yards and 10 touchdowns against three interceptions.

Belhaven is 3-1 in Dial's four career starts. He previously earned Offensive Rookie of the Week honors following the Blazers' win at Greensboro on Oct. 17.

The Blazers return to Belhaven Bowl Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, to host LaGrange for Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.

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