INDIANAPOLIS – McKendree University sophomore quarterback Turner Pullen and sophomore kicker Ryan Kastl, as well as Southwest Baptist University senior linebacker Coleton Smith have been selected as the Great Lakes Valley Conference Players of the Week for football, it was announced by the league office Monday.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Turner Pullen, McKendree
So., QB, Shelbyville, Ill.
Major: Sport Management
Team Results: 51-48 W at Quincy (10/16)
- Helped McKendree to come-from-behind road win, leading team to 30 points and 304 yards in fourth quarter
- Registered six touchdowns on four throws and two runs
- Threw for career-high 358 yards and ran for 82, which accounted for career-high 440 total yards; just 39 shy of McKendree single-game record
- Went 23-of-44 passing, including 11-for-20 in fourth quarter
- Moved into tie for second in school history with 54 TDs responsible for
- Earns second career Offensive Player of the Week (10/18/21, 9/30/19)
- Last Bearcats’ Offensive Player of the Week: Steven Towns, Jr. (10/4/17)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Coleton Smith, Southwest Baptist
Sr., LB, Appleton City, Mo.
Major: Physical Therapy
Team Results: 27-21 W vs. (RV) Truman State (10/9)
- Helped SBU to upset win over Truman, holding its offense to 21 points, 127 rushing and 367 total yards
- Led both teams with 21 tackles, which is a season-high and ranks third in SBU single-game history
- Had two tackles for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups
- Tallied both pass breakups on final Truman drive, including fourth down, to seal victory
- Earns third career Defensive Player of the Week Award (10/18/21, 9/27/21, 9/6/21)
- Last Bearcats’ Defensive Player of the Week: Coleton Smith (9/6/21)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Kastl, McKendree
So., K, Washington, Ill.
Team Results: 51-48 W at Quincy (10/16)
- Kicked game-winning, 39-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in come-from-behind road win
- Connected on six of seven extra-point attempts
- Averaged 54 yards in eight kickoffs, totaling 432
- Earns first career Special Teams Player of the Week Award
- Last Bearcats’ Special Teams Player of the Week: Jacob Bachman (9/27/21)