Football Sun Belt Conference

Mitchell, Kelly and Byrns Earn First Football Weekly Honors

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana
Had a monster performance in No. 19 Louisiana's come-from-behind overtime victory over Georgia State, carrying the ball 16 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns.  His performance was his 11th career game with over 100-yards and his ninth career game with two or more touchdowns.  The 164 yards mark the second-highest rushing output of his career.  The 164 yards is currently tied for the fourth-highest rushing output in the nation this year.  His second touchdown was the game winner in overtime, a 12-yard rush...His first touchdown went for 59 yards, his longest rush since going for 65 yards against Arkansas State on Oct. 27, 2018. It was just the second touchdown of 50 or more yards in his career. With his effort, he now ranks eighth nationally in total rushing yards with 210.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Silas Kelly, Coastal Carolina
In just his second game back after missing the last 10 games last season and two surgeries on his knee, Silas Kelly led the Chants with eight tackles, five solo stops, 2.0 sacks, and 2.0 tackles-for-loss in the win over Campbell. In two games this season, Kelly has recorded 16 tackles, 4.0 tackles-for-loss, and 3.0 sacks from his linebacker position.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rhys Byrns, Louisiana
Played a pivotal role in helping No. 19 Louisiana flip the field in the team's overtime win at Georgia State...Punted seven times in the contest, tying a career high, for 315 yards.  Averaged 45.0 yards per punt and pinned three balls inside the 20-yard line, tied for the second-most in his career.  Byrns sent two balls longer than 50 yards, just the third time in his career with two or more punts of over 50 yards.