NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State junior middle linebacker Tye Niekamp set a new career high in tackles and helped lead the Redbirds to a big 35-21 road win at No. 15 South Dakota State. For his efforts, Niekamp was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season by the league office on Monday.
Niekamp joins quarterback Beau Brungard of Youngstown State (Offense), placekicker Andrew Lastovka of Youngstown State (Special Teams), running back Carson Fletcher of South Dakota (Newcomer) and offensive lineman Seth Anderson of North Dakota (Offensive Line) as this week's MVFC players of the week.