Philadelphia, Pa. - Youngstown State senior quarterback Kurt Hess has been the named The Sports Network's National Offensive Player of the Week, the service announced on Monday afternoon.
Hess, the reigning Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week, accounted for five touchdowns in a 59-21 victory over Illinois State on Saturday. He had four passing and one rushing score as the Penguins set a school record for most points scored in an MVFC contest. He completed 17-of-21 passes for a career-high 311 yards in the win over the Redbirds.
He had touchdown passes of 67, 40, 10 and two yards in the win. He also added a 16-yard rush in the third quarter. It was the sixth time in his career that Hess threw at least four touchdown passes in a game. It was the second time in his career that he threw for more than 300 yards and it was his 22nd career 200-yard plus passing game, a school mark.
Davis Tull of Chattanooga and Justin Blake of Hampton were named Co-Defensive Players of the Week, Leghigh's Tim Divers was the Special Teams Player of the Week and Sacred Heart quarterback R.J. Noel was named the freshman of the week.
The Penguins (6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference) are off to their best league start since 2006. YSU plays its annual Homecoming contest this Saturday against Western Illinois at Stambaugh Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
