NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State junior middle linebacker Tye Niekamp tied his career high in tackles in the Redbirds' 21-13 road victory at No. 21 South Dakota on Saturday in Vermillion. For his efforts, Niekamp was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season by the league office on Monday.
Niekamp joins quarterback Cole Payton of North Dakota State (Offensive Player of the Week), punt returner Tae Marrero Jr. of Southern Illinois (Special Teams Player of the Week) and kick returner/wide receiver Ky "Flash" Wilson of Youngstown State (Newcomer of the Week) as this week's conference honorees.