CEDAR Falls, Iowa – After sparking Northern Iowa's 34-29 upset over No. 6 South Dakota on Saturday, senior Keelon Brookins claimed the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive and Newcomer Player of the Week awards, the league announced on Sunday.
Brookins put the Panthers up 34-23 with 2:23 remaining after taking an interception back 29 yards for a touchdown against the Coyotes. Both the interception and touchdown were career firsts for Brookins as the senior finished the game with six total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups to go along with his crucial interception.