Missouri Western junior wide receiver/return specialist Tarrell Downing has been selected as part of this week’s MIAA Football Student-Athletes of the Week by the conference office and a panel of Sports Information Directors. Downing earned special teams player of the week honors for his performance in the Griffons 81-20 win over Lincoln University last Saturday in St. Joseph, Mo.
MIAA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tarrell Downing, WR/RS, Missouri Western
Downing had a career game in the return game for the Griffons accumulating 166 all-purpose yards which all came on kickoff or punt returns. After the Griffons forced a three and out on the Blue Tigers opening possession, Downing returned the ensuing punt 72 yards for a touchdown, putting Western up 7-0 just a minute and a half into the contest. After the Blue Tigers cut the Griffons lead to 19-6 midway through the second quarter, Downing struck again, this time on a kickoff return. The junior from St. Louis, Mo., took a ball from the 12-yard line and returned it 88 yards for a TD, putting Western up 26-6 and sparking the Griffons to 26 straight points in the final 5:47 of the half. The last time the Griffons returned a punt for a touchdown was on Oct. 10, 2009, when Cedric Houston did it against Truman State. The last kickoff return was by TJ Fannin on Nov. 6, 2010, against Fort Hays State.
MIAA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Justin Cooper, RB, Washburn
Cooper rushed for a career-high 168 yards on 19 carries, tying a career high with three touchdown runs adding four catches for 12 yards in the win over the Bulldogs. The senior from Denver, Colo., had runs of 5-yards and 6-yards in the first half and added a season-long 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He is now 6th in all-time rushing yards at Washburn with 2,150, becoming one of seven Ichabods to go over the 2,000-yard mark.
MIAA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dakota Palan-Johnson, DE, Washburn
Palan-Johnson led the Ichabods with three sacks in the game against the Bulldogs, helping Washburn set a school record of nine sacks in a game. The senior from Denver, Colo., also added 4.5 tackles for loss for 23 yards along with the three sacks for 18 yards collecting eight total tackles (4 solo). Washburn’s defense held the Bulldogs to 66 yards rushing and 239 yards passing with a 3.8 yards per play average in 81 total plays ran.
The Griffons return to action on Saturday, October 15 when they host Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm from Jones Field at Welch Stadium and you can hear the game on 680 KFEQ.
— MWSU Sports Information —