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Illinois State University Athletics

Tye Niekamp

Football Mike Williams

Niekamp Named Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week; MVFC Defensive Player of the Week

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State sophomore linebacker Tye Niekamp had a stellar day for the No. 18 Redbirds in their 45-10 road win at No. 19 Southern Illinois, and for his efforts he was named the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6 college football games ending on Oct. 5. Niekamp was also honored on Monday as the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week by the league office.

Niekamp was honored alongside Weber State's Richie Munoz (Offense), Houston Christian's Dillon Fedor (Special Teams) and Villanova's David Avit (Freshman) as this week's Stats Perform FCS national honorees. In addition, the North Dakota State Bison were named the Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week. The FCS National Awards are presented by FedEx.

The Normal, Illinois, native led the way for an impressive Redbird defense in a dominant 45-10 victory road win at Saluki Stadium. He was all over the field for ISU and recorded a season-best 11 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and one pass break up against SIU. Following a pivotal interception from Niekamp, his second of the season, the 'Birds got the ball back in Saluki territory and pulled out the trick double pass play where Daniel Sobkowicz took a backwards pass and stopped in his tracks to throw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Loyd to make the score 31-10 with 12:42 left in the game. On the night, Niekamp and the Redbird defense recorded eight tackles for loss, four sacks, and forced two turnovers against the nationally ranked Salukis on their home field.

On the season, Niekamp is tied for second on the team with 44 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups and one forced fumble in six games despite being limited early in the season with a hamstring injury.

The nationally ranked Redbirds return home this Saturday, Oct. 12, for a noon kickoff against Missouri State (3-2, 1-0 MVFC) at Hancock Stadium. It will be a White Out, and all fans are encouraged to wear white while cheering on the Redbirds.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.

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Players Mentioned

Tye Niekamp

#46 Tye Niekamp

LB
6' 3"
Sophomore
Daniel Sobkowicz

#2 Daniel Sobkowicz

WR
6' 3"
Junior
Xavier Loyd

#1 Xavier Loyd

WR
6' 2"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Tye Niekamp

#46 Tye Niekamp

6' 3"
Sophomore
LB
Daniel Sobkowicz

#2 Daniel Sobkowicz

6' 3"
Junior
WR
Xavier Loyd

#1 Xavier Loyd

6' 2"
Junior
WR