Emporia State’s Brent Wilson was named the MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week after a record-breaking performance. Washburn’s Bryce Atagi was named the Defensive Athlete of the Week while John Brown won the Special Teams Athlete of the Week Award.

MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week
Brent Wilson, QB, Emporia State

In just his third collegiate start, Wilson had the best statistical day of any quarterback in MIAA history in Emporia State’s 54-38 win at Central Oklahoma. The sophomore went 38 of 47 for 522 yards and seven touchdowns and added 49 yards on 11 carries for 571 total yards. He set MIAA records for passing yards, touchdown passes and total offense as the Hornets improved to 3-0 on the year. He is the first MIAA quarterback to throw for more than 500 yards in a game, breaking the record of 493 set by TSU’s Matt Tisich in 2007 and tied by UCM’s Harlon Hill Trophy winner Eric Czernewski in 2010. His seven touchdown passes breaks the previous record of six shared by seven different players. The 571 yards of total offense breaks MSSU’s Josh Chapman’s record of 533 set in 2002. His 38 completions were one shy of the Hornets single game record of 39 set by Pete Jelovic in 1995. As a team ESU had tied their school record for total offense at 703 yards before losing four yards in victory formation and settling for 699 total yards. Through three games Wilson is 82 of 110 (74.5%) for 1,120 yards and 14 touchdowns with no interceptions. The 6-0 sophomore quarterback is a native of Ponca City, Okla. where he competed at Ponca City High School.

MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week
Bryce Atagie, LB, Washburn

Atagi led the Ichabods with eight tackles including six solo stops and a pick six for a touchdown in Washburn’s 48-3 win at Northeastern State playing into the start of the fourth quarter. He was part of a defense which held the RiverHawks to 12 first downs (NSU received six of those by Washburn penalties). NSU was also limited to only 159 total offensive yards in the game with 53 of those on the ground. The 5-10 senior linebacker is a native of Shawnee, Kan. where he attended Shawnee Missouri Northwest High School.

MIAA Special Team Athlete of the Week
John Brown, KR-PR, Pittsburg State

Brown returned the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards for a touchdown to help spark a 28-point third quarter as No. 14 Pittsburg State rolled to a 59-7 victory over Southwest Baptist. He compiled 298 all-purpose yards in the game. He caught five passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. The 5-11 senior return specialist is a native of Homstead, Fla. where he competed at Homestead High School prior to playing at Coffeyville Community College.

— MIAA Press Release —