Hawks’ Smith, Walker III and Woolen earn October awards

SEATTLE – Three Seattle Seahawks were named to player of the month awards for the month of October this week, with quarterback Geno Smith, running back Kenneth Walker III and cornerback Tariq Woolen all being honored.

Smith was named the October NFC Offensive Player of the Month for his performances in five games last month. The 10-year pro lead the Seahawks to a 4-1 record in October, completing 102 of 147 passes for 1,207 yards and nine touchdowns. As a rusher, Smith added 143 yards and a score in October, giving him 10 total touchdowns which led all NFC quarterbacks in October.

This was Smith’s first Offensive Player of the Month award in his career and he became the fifth Seahawk quarterback to earn the award.

Seattle swept the NFL’s rookie of the month awards, with Walker III and Woolen both earning the offensive and defensive awards, respectively.

Walker III led all rookie backs with 432 rushing yards and five touchdowns in October. The second-round pick out of Michigan State also rushed for a touchdown in four-straight games to end the month. With this award, Seattle now has had three players win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month award.

Woolen recorded 19 total tackles, five passes defensed, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in October, helping the much-improved Seahawk defense from the start of the season. The University of Texas-San Antonio product had a three-game streak with an interception and also returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown against Detroit in Week 4.

The rookie corner was the only player in the league last month to have multiple interceptions and fumble recoveries last month.