AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Games: October 7, 2023
 
>> OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Landon McKinney, QB, Jr., Howard Payne
 
Howard Payne junior quarterback Landon McKinney (Liberty City, Texas) was 22 of 33 passing for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He completed passes to six different targets and touchdowns to three different players.
 
>> DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: K.J. Kelley, S, Gs., Howard Payne
 
Howard Payne safety K.J. Kelley anchored a defense that held East Texas Baptist to just 54 yards rushing and forced three turnovers. Kelley finished with a game-high nine tackles, two interceptions and one pass breakup.
 
>> SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Vicente Luevano, WR, Jr., Sul Ross St.
 
Sul Ross State junior wide receiver Vicente Luevano (San Diego, Texas) had three punt returns for 83 yards, which was highlighted by a 74-yard punt return he scored on to help with a 49-7 victory.
 
OTHER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
 
>> OFFENSIVE:
 
Sul Ross State sophomore quarterback Andrew Martinez (El Paso, Texas) scored three touchdowns, with two on the ground that was part of a 65-yard rushing day on 11 carries. He also went 12 for 19 in the air for 161 yards and connected on a touchdown.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor junior wide receiver Jerry Day, Jr. (West Monroe, La.) totaled eight grabs for 76 yards and a trio of touchdowns against Texas Lutheran. He caught the Cru's first two touchdowns and then caught a quick pass and ran in 21 yards for another touchdown. Day had a 25-yard long grab in the game.
 
>> DEFENSIVE:
 
Sul Ross State senior linebacker Jade Rios (San Antonio, Texas) led the defense with nine total tackles that included six solo tackles. One tackle was for a loss of one yard.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor junior linebacker Durand Hill (Austin, Texas) totaled eight tackles last week with three tackles for loss and one interception. He had three tackles for 12 yards lost and returned his interception 65 yards for the score. Hill had five total solo tackles with three assisted marks.
 
>> SPECIAL TEAMS:
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor freshman linebacker Nate Western (San Antonio, Texas) had six total tackles in the contest and was a big part of the Cru's kickoff coverage. He had three solo tackles on kickoff coverage and helped the Cru blocking on fourth down and punt return.
 
Texas Lutheran junior punter Cameron Welch (New Braunfels, Texas) logged eight punts for 264 yards. He averaged 22 yards, landed a touchback and one inside the 20.