NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State wide receiver/punt returner Dylan Lord had a big game against Eastern Illinois, helping the Redbirds retain the Mid-America Classic Trophy for the third straight year. For his efforts, Lord was named the MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday by the league office.
Joining Lord as a honoree this week were running back Josiah Johnson of South Dakota State (Offensive Player of the Week); linebacker Alex Rose of Indiana State (Defensive Player of the Week); running back Aaron Ball of Indiana State (Newcomer of the Week); and right guard Andy Hertlein of Indiana State (Offensive Lineman of the Week).
Lord made quite the impression in Saturday's 49-13 win over Eastern Illinois in the 114th Mid-America Classic. The junior came up with one of the biggest special teams play in recent history for the Redbirds, as he returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Panthers. It was the first punt return for touchdown for the Redbirds since 2013, and it highlighted a stellar overall performance on the day for Lord. He accounted for 169 all-purpose yards (92 punt return yards, 77 receiving yards) and two touchdowns on the day (one return, one receiving) for the Redbirds.Â
No. 3/4 Illinois State (4-0) will open Missouri Valley Football Conference on Saturday at Northern Iowa (1-2), with kickoff set for 4 p.m. CT at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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