ST. LOUIS — Missouri State safety Todric McGee (Jr., Wichita, Kan.) has been named Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Bears’ near-upset of No. 3-ranked Montana on Saturday.
McGee was honored Monday, along with three other league standouts from the opening week of the college football season.
McGee shined brightest on a night when Missouri State’s defense held the defending national runners-up under 30 points for just the second time in the past nine games. He logged a game-high 11 total tackles, including three solo stops. He also assisted on a tackle for loss in the contest.
Missouri State led Montana 17-12 late in the third quarter in the season opener in Missoula on Saturday and had the ball in the final 98 seconds with a chance to rally from behind. Ultimately, Montana slipped away with a 29-24 victory despite Missouri State outgaining the Grizzlies by a 356-347 margin.
This week’s award marks McGee’s first Valley weekly honor. He earned All-MVFC second-team laurels last season.
Also recognized by the MVFC this week are: North Dakota State QB Cam Miller (Offense), South Dakota return specialist Keyondray Jones-Logan (Special Teams) and Youngstown State running back Ethan Wright (Newcomer).
Missouri State is back on the road this Saturday for a clash with Ball State in Muncie, Ind., at 1 p.m. (Central) before lifting the lid on the home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 14 against Lindenwood at Plaster Stadium.