Missouri Valley Football Players of the Week - Sept. 22 - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

This week's Missouri Valley Football Conference players of the week are QB Kurt Hess of Youngstown State; LB T.J. Lally of South Dakota State and RS Carlos Anderson of UNI.

OFFENSE

QB Kurt Hess, Youngstown State

Jr., 6-3, 230, Dayton (Ohio) Chaminade-Julienne

Hess completed 20-of-28 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the Penguins' come-from-behind win over UNI. It was YSU's first win over the Panthers since 2000. Hess had two first-half touchdown passes and added two in the second half, including the game-winner with 1:50 left. In the first half, he had scoring throws of 25 and 38 yards. In the second half, he threw a 43-yarder and found Christian Bryan on a 26-yard score on third-and-three play with 1:50 remaining. Hess was 6-of-7 in the fourth quarter for 77 yards and a perfect 3-of-3 for 49 yards on the final drive of the game.

DEFENSE

LB T.J. Lally, South Dakota State

6-0, 225, R-Fr., Chicago (Ill.) Marmion Academy

Lally recorded 10 tackles, including a half-tackle for loss, and added an interception and two more pass breakups as South Dakota State opened league action with a 24-10 victory at No. 22 Indiana State on Sept. 22. For the game, SDSU held Indiana State to 23 net yards rushing on 25 attempts. The Jackrabbits limited Walter Payton Award candidate Shakir Bell to 54 yards on 18 carries and, other than on a fake punt, did not allow a rushing play of more than five yards.

SPECIAL TEAMS

RS/RB Carlos Anderson, UNI

5-8, 172, Sr,. Blue Springs (Mo.) High

Anderson had a huge game on special teams for the Panthers against Youngstown State racking up 176 yards off of kick-off returns. The 176 yards are the most in the league this season. He had returns of 22 and 31 yards in the first quarter -- his first return setting up a UNI touchdown. In the third quarter, YSU tied up the score 28-28, but off the kick-off Anderson tore and fought for every yard of his 23-yard return to set up the Panthers with good field position and late in the fourth quarter after YSU took the lead, Anderson was able to break free for another large gain off the kick-off notching a 33-yard gain.

NEWCOMER

T.J. Lally, South Dakota State

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