Fort Hays State’s kicker/punter Drew O’ Brien is this week’s MIAA Special Team’s Athlete of the Week. O’Brien was a perfect 2-of-2 on field goal attempts in the Tigers 48-13 win at Northeastern State. He connected from 41 yards and 38 yards in the second quarter, pushing the FHSU lead to 10-6 and then 13-6. He also had three punts go for an average of 44.7 yards, two that went 50 or more yards with 53 as his best effort. He averaged 60.8 yards on kickoffs.

The 6-0 kicker/punter is a native of Hays, Kan. where he competed at TMP-Marian High School.

Central Missouri’s LaVance Taylor is the MIAA Offensive Athlete of the week after his record-setting day in the Mules 50-31 win over #19 Emporia State. Taylor amassed nearly 400 yards of all-purpose yards and scoring six touchdowns. He rushed for 288 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries for a 12.5 yards per carry average. He had three receptions for eight yards and a touchdown and had a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He set four single-game school records and tied a career-record in the process. His 288 rushing yards are the most in a single-game in school history, as were his six touchdowns and 36 points scored. His 394 all-purpose yards were also a single-game UCM record. His kickoff return for a touchdown was the third of his career, tying the UCM career record.

Central Oklahoma defensive back Cody Jones is the Defensive Athlete of the Week. Jones came up with two big interceptions during UCO’s 26-17 upset of Missouri Western. The junior cornerback returned the first one 41 yards to the MWSU four-yard-line late in the first half to set up a short UCO field goal that got the Bronchos within 14-10 at halftime and he sealed the win with a 42-yard touchdown return on the final play of the game. Jones added three unassisted tackles, including one for a four-yard loss, and broke up another pass.