This week's Missouri Valley Football Conference Players of the Week include WR Tony Tate of Western Illinois; DB Michael Lawson of Western Illinois; and TB Jaleel McLaughlin of Youngstown State.
 
Offensive Player of the Week
Special Teams Player of the Week
WR Tony Tate, Western Illinois
5-9, 180, Sr., DeKalb (Ill.) High
Tate led all players with 197 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns as Western Illinois defeated Youngstown State, 27-24, on Saturday night.  After Youngstown State took a 24-13 lead early in the third quarter, Tate returned the ensuing kick 95 yards for a touchdown to tie for the ninth-longest return in program history. It marked the second-longest kickoff return in the league this year (and only the second to go for a score). Tate had a total of 114 kickoff return yards; 72 receiving yards; and added six yards on punt returns) and three touchdowns. He scored on a 43-yard pass in the second quarter, the kickoff return, and the game-winning 28-yard TD reception with 6:35 remaining.


 
Defensive Player of the Week
DB Michael Lawson, Western Illinois
5-10, 185, Sr., Hayward (Calif.) Patterson High / Lamar
Lawson returned a punt 36 yards for his first Leatherneck touchdown.  He also recorded a career-high, game-high 14 tackles (10 solo) for his third game with 10-plus this season. His interception in the fourth quarter set up the go-ahead touchdown. Lawson pressured the Penguins all evening for a sack and two tackles combined for a loss of 10 yards. His punt return TD was the third in the league this year, and his 36-yard return was the second-longest this spring in the MVFC.  His 14 tackles matched a league season high.
 


Newcomer of the Week Nominee
TB Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State
5-9, 175, Jr., Marshville (N.C.) Notre Dame College
For the fourth straight week, McLaughlin rushed for more than 100 yards as he collected 122 against Western Illinois on Saturday night. In the first quarter, he had the Penguins' first touchdown of the contest scoring a 73-yard run. It was the longest run of his YSU career. He finished with contest with 17 carries and one reception against the Leathernecks. He has rushed for more than 122 yards in each of the past four games.