Kansas City, Mo. – Central Missouri’s Tyler Jones has been named the MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week joined by teammate Jaylen Zachery as the Special Teams Athlete of the Week. Lindenwood’s Bakari Triggs has been named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week.
MIAA Football Offensive Athlete of the Week
Tyler Jones, WR, Central Missouri
Making his first career start, he caught three passes for a career-high 161 yards and his first career touchdown was the game-winner in a 34-27 win at Pittsburg State. His first catch went for seven yards, but his second catch was a 75-yarder on third and eight from the UCM 11. it set up the go-ahead touchdown to put UCM in front 20-13. Then, facing a third and four from the UCM 21 with the game tied, Jones hauled in a 79-yard touchdown catch, broke a tackle and outraced the defense to the end zone for the game-winning score. The 6-2 senior wide receiver is a native of St. Louis, Mo. where he competed at Trinity Catholic High School.
MIAA Football Defensive Athlete of the Week
Bakari Triggs, DB, Lindenwood
Bakari Triggs set a MIAA record with two interception return touchdowns. He also set a school record with three interceptions, and had the second-most interception return yards in program history for a game with 123. Both of his interception return touchdowns came in the second half when the Lions defense allowed just one touchdown and led the team to a come-from-behind win. His third interception came in the endzone in the first half. Triggs also had five pass breakups for a total of eight passes defended, and had five tackles. The senior defensive back is a native of Milwaukee, Wis. where he competed at Riverside High School prior to playing a Butler Community College.
MIAA Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week
Jaylen Zachery, WR/PR, Central Missouri
Zachery had 153 yards in return yards, including a 73-yard punt return touchdown in the Mules 34-27 win over Pittsburg State. He averaged 32.7 yards per punt return and 18.3 yards per kick return in helping the Mules to the season-opening win. His 73-yard PR TD gave UCM a 27-13 lead late in the third quarter. The 6-0 junior wide receiver is a native of Richton Park, Ill. where he competed at Rich South High School.
— MIAA Press Release —