American Southwest Conference press release

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Games: September 17, 2022
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – T.J. DeShields, QB, RS-Jr., Sul Ross State

Sul Ross State redshirt junior quarterback T.J. DeShields (Beloit, Ohio) complete 36 of 49 passes for 550 yards and seven touchdowns in an explosive offensive performance to lift the Lobos 55-14 over Austin College. His seven touchdowns broke a school record (6) for a single game. His 550 yards passing broke a school record for single game passing yards (507). The touchdown mark also was one shy of the American Southwest Conference in a single game.
 
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Joey Johnson, LB, So., East Texas Baptist

East Texas Baptist sophomore linebacker Joey Johnson (Dallas, Texas) had an impactful day for ETBU recording eight tackles and on sack holding McMurry to just seven points. He also posted three tackles for loss. His sack came at time in the first half as ETBU pitched a 14-0 lead at the half. ETBU's defense limited the War Hawks to just 104 yards of total offense with just 56 yards passing.
 
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Matt Mitchell, LB, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

No. 6 Hardin-Simmons senior linebacker Matt Mitchell (Wimberley, Texas) led the defense to a shutout on the road at No. 24 UW-Platteville. He had eight tackles (seven solo), a tackle for loss and a pass break-up. The Cowboys allowed just 224 yards of offense in the game.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – K.J. Miller, WR/RS, Sr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

No. 5 Mary Hardin-Baylor senior wide receiver/return specialist K.J. Miller (Orange, Calif.) broke the UMHB career record for punt return yards with 1,520 in his career. He totaled two returns for 51 yards against Southwestern, averaging 25.5 yards per return with a 38-yard long. Miller also had one kickoff return for 46 yards against SU.
 
OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES

Offensive

Howard Payne sophomore running back Javian Myles (Missouri City, Texas) on 14 carries rushed for a season-high 151 yards with three touchdowns. Myles' game highlight came on a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. His 10.8 yards per carry in the game was a big factor in the Yellow Jackets' 375 yards rushing as a team and six total rushing touchdowns in the HPU 67-10 victory over Hendrix College.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore wide receiver Jerry Day, Jr. (West Monroe, La.) caught three passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns against Southwestern last week, helping the Cru to a 68-14 win. He caught a pair of touchdowns from Kyle King and opened the second half with a TD reception from Jackson Tingler.
 
Defensive

Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore linebacker Johnny Smith-Rider (Fort Worth, Texas) led the Cru with six total tackles (two solo tackles). He added three tackles for loss 11 total yards against Southwestern.
 
Special Teams

Hardin-Simmons senior punter Cody Harral (Ballinger, Texas) was able to flip the field on four punts and keep the Cowboys' defense in good position the entire game. He averaged 48 yards per punt on four kicks and only one of the four punts was just for one yard. His efforts helped the defense to a 41-0 shutout on the road at No. 24 UW-Platteville.
 
East Texas Baptist senior punter Alek Child (Castroville, Texas) punted 8 times for 241 yards and an average of 30.1 yards per punt. He kicked one touchback and a 51-yard punt.