This week's Missouri Valley Football Conference players of the week are QB Kurt Hess of Youngstown State; CB Winston Wright of South Dakota State; PK David Brown of Youngstown State; and RB Jewel Hampton of Southern Illinois.
Offensive Player of the Week
QB Kurt Hess, Youngstown State
So., 6-0, 235, Dayton (Ohio) Chaminade-Julienne
Hess completed 20-of-24 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another in the Penguins upset win over No. 1 ranked North Dakota State. Hess threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jelani Berassa in the second quarter before his one-yard score with 17 seconds left before the end of the first half pulled YSU within 21-17 at the break. In the second half, he threw a 10-yard scoring toss to Jamaine Cook to give YSU a 24-21 lead.
Defensive Player of the Week
CB Winston Wright, South Dakota State
So., 5-10, 185, Lee's Summit (Mo.) Blue Springs South High
Wright recorded five tackles and forced two turnovers in South Dakota State's season-ending 27-7 victory over Western Illinois on Nov. 12. Wright forced a fumble and scooped up the loose ball for a 68-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Later in the quarter he intercepted a pass that led to a Jackrabbit score. He also broke up a pass.
Special Teams Player of the Week
PK David Brown, Youngstown State
Jr., 5-10, 180, Ojai (Calif.) Nordoff High/Ventura JC
Brown had a career-high two field goals made, including the game winner as the Penguins upset top-ranked North Dakota State. Brown made a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter and drilled a 30-yard kick in the third quarter which put YSU on top 27-24. That second field goal proved to be the difference in the game. Brown also made all three of his extra-point tries in the Fargodome.
Newcomer of the Week
RB Jewel Hampton, Southern Illinois
Jr., 5-9, 210, Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central
Hampton rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in Southern Illinois' win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday. It was Hampton's fifth 100-yard game of the season and second in a row. He added a career high four receptions and 59 yards receiving, and he led the Salukis in all-purpose yards.
