MAC Football Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Telly Johnson Jr., NIU, RB
Freshman, Augusta, Ga. (Hephzibah )
In just his second game, freshman Telly Johnson Jr. gained 141 yards on 23 carries to power the NIU rushing attack in its 42-28 win over Western Michigan. Called on in relief of starter Antario Brown, Johnson's total yards were the most in a single game by a Huskie this season and included touchdown runs of six and 26 yards for the first scores of his college career. Johnson did not lose a yard while averaging 6.1 yards per rush. He scored the first and last touchdowns of the game versus WMU.
Tucker Gleason, Toledo, QB
Junior, Tampa, Fla (Plant)
Tucker Gleason threw for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and ran for another in Toledo's 29-28 win at EMU on Nov. 2. Gleason completed 18-of-34 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. It marked the fourth time this season he has thrown for a career-high three TDs. He also ran for a score in the first quarter, marking the fourth time in his last five games. The victory gave Toledo bowl eligibility for a 15th consecutive season, the eighth-longest streak in the country.
MAC Football Defensive Player of the Week
Matt Salopek, Miami, LB
6th – Senior, Kent, Ohio
Matt Salopek had nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and a pass breakup in Miami's 27-21 win at Ball State. The defense, which allowed just one offensive touchdown all evening, held the Cardinals to 51 yards rushing on 23 attempts.
MAC Football Co-Special Teams Players of the Week
Eamonn Dennis , Ohio, WR
Graduate Student , Worcester, Mass. (St. John's)
Dennis made a splash on the special teams unit during Ohio’s shutout victory over Kent State on Wednesday (Nov. 6). The wide receiver opened the third quarter with a 96-yard kickoff return, marking the first Bobcat to score a touchdown off a kickoff return since 2022 as well as his first touchdown for OU. After a successful PAT, Dennis’ touchdown extended Ohio’s lead to 27 points.
Cam Thompson, NIU, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
Soph. (R), Boardman, Ohio (Boardman)
Sophomore Cam Thompson scored on a 91-yard kickoff return in the third quarter to give NIU a 28-21 lead which the Huskies would not relinquish. Thompson's return came after Western Michigan had tied the game at 21 by scoring on the first possession of the second half. It was the first kickoff return TD for the Huskies since Oct. 16, 2021 when Trayvon Rudolph scored on a 100-yard return versus Bowling Green.
