NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State defense received a stellar performance from an unlikely source in redshirt freshman Brannon Barry, who played his first-career snaps on defense at end against the Panthers. Despite his unfamiliarity at the position, Barry excelled and was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Week by the league office Sunday.
The honor is the first for Barry in his time at Illinois State and the second weekly honor for a Redbird player this season. Marshaun Coprich was previously named the MVFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance on Sept. 19 in an overtime win at Eastern Illinois.
Barry, who spends the majority of his time running routes as a tight end, moved to defensive end earlier in the week and was put in on pass rush situations against the Panthers in the Redbirds' 21-13 victory at Hancock Stadium Saturday.
On his first play ever as a defender, Barry broke through for a sack on UNI quarterback Aaron Bailey. He went on to add two other sacks later in the game and also corralled an interception off a deflected pass by ISU's Josh Burch. Barry finished the day with three sacks, three tackles-for-loss, and the interception in just 21 snaps.
Barry and the Redbirds travel to Youngstown, Ohio, next Saturday to face off against the nationally-ranked Penguins. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN3.
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