ST. LOUIS – A pair of Illinois State standouts earned player of the week honors from the Missouri Valley Football Conference on Monday, as placekicker Matt Maldonado was named MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week and offensive tackle Jake Pope was named the league's Offensive Lineman of the Week following action in Week 2.
Maldonado connected on both of his field goal attempts and was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra point attempts last Saturday night in the Redbirds' 41-13 win over Morehead State. The senior transfer from Murray State connected on a 27-yard field goal late in the first quarter to cut the MSU lead at the time to 6-3, and later in the third quarter he drilled a career-best 45-yarder to put the Redbirds up by two scores at the time.