McLean County Times

Illinois State University football players Matt Maldonado and Jake Pope received weekly honors from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) following their performances in Week 2.

Maldonado, a senior transfer from Murray State, was named MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He made both field goal attempts and all five extra points during Illinois State’s 41-13 win over Morehead State. Maldonado’s contributions included a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter and a career-long 45-yarder in the third quarter. He scored 11 points for the team and has not missed a field goal this season.

Jake Pope, an offensive tackle from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, earned Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. In his seventh year with Illinois State, Pope graded out at 92 percent and recorded 11 pancake blocks against Morehead State. The offensive line did not allow any sacks and helped the Redbirds rush for 223 yards. Running backs Victor Dawson and Wenkers Wright each had over 80 rushing yards as Illinois State averaged nearly six yards per carry.

Illinois State now holds a record of 1-1 this season. The team will play Eastern Illinois on Saturday in Charleston at O'Brien Field for the 113th Mid-America Classic meeting between the rivals.

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