ST. LOUIS — Missouri State defensive end Devin Goree (Jr., Denton, Texas) was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Oct. 23) after helping the Bears to a 28-24 homecoming win over visiting Murray State.
Goree racked up a game-high eight total tackles in Saturday’s victory, including three solo stops and 2.5 sacks. His sack of Racers’ quarterback D.J. Williams on the final play of the game helped seal the win for the Bears who executed a rejuvenated defensive performance in the second half.
Missouri State’s defense held Murray State to just one field goal and 120 total yards (on eight possessions) in the second half, while holding the Racers to 3-for-13 on third and fourth down conversions.
Other MVFC honorees this week include RB Amauri Pesek-Hickson of UNI (Offensive); RB Charles Pierre Jr. of South Dakota (Newcomer); and PK Andrew Lastovka of Youngstown State (Special Teams).
Goree is the second Missouri State player to earn MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors this season, joining cornerback Caleb Blake who earned the honor on Sept. 23.
The Bears put their two-game win streak on the line this week when they travel to Youngstown State for a 1 p.m. (Central) kickoff at Stambaugh Field. Coach Ryan Beard’s squad returns to Plaster Stadium on Nov. 4 to square off with rival Illinois State.
