NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State defensive lineman Eric Brunner and quarterback Matt Brown were both named College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Performers of the Week Monday. Brunner was also selected as the CFPA National Defensive Lineman of the Week, Brown was chosen as the CFPA National Quarterback of the Week and Tyrone Walker was an honorable mention wide receiver of the week.
The purpose of the College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
Brunner was a force in the middle of the Redbird defense Saturday night in the team's 52-21 win over Morehead State. The Greendale, Wis., native set a new career high with 3.5 tackles-for-loss and tied a career best with two sacks against the Eagles. Brunner finished the game with seven tackles in all and was also credited with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry.
Brown tied his career-high with five touchdown passes in the Redbirds' victory. The Marion, Ill., native finished the game passing 12-for-17 for 286 yards. Brown threw a game-long 73-yard touchdown pass to Marvon Sanders, along with a 64-yard touchdown strike to Walker.
Walker made all three of his catches count against the Eagles. The Indianapolis, Ind., native scored touchdowns on all three of his receptions and finished with 120 yards receiving overall. The three touchdown receptions tied a career high for Walker and he recorded over 100 yards receiving for the seventh time in his career. Walker had touchdown receptions of 10, 46 and 64 yards to lead the way for the Redbirds.
Illinois State begins Missouri Valley Football Conference play Saturday, Sept. 17, at Youngstown State. Kickoff in Youngstown, Ohio is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
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