Northwest Missouri State University senior defensive lineman Zach Pierce has been named the MIAA's football co-defensive player of the week presented by Mammoth Turf.
It marks the eighth time this season that a Bearcat football player has earned the MIAA's top weekly honor. Pierce is the fourth Bearcat defender to garner the award this season.
Pierce (Gladbrook, Iowa/Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS) made his first career start and recorded four tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a quarterback sack and a forced fumble as No. 14 Northwest shut out Northeastern State, 79-0. Pierce forced a first quarter fumble. The loose ball was scooped by teammate Mike Ehlke for an 18-yard touchdown return with 8:21 left in the first to give Northwest a commanding 21-0 lead. Pierce and the Bearcat defense limited the RiverHawks to 130 total yards (26 rushing, 130 passing) in the game. NSU went 1-for-16 on third-down conversions. The Northwest defense tallied a season-high 17 tackles-for-loss.
Northwest will travel to Fort Hays State on Saturday. Kick is set for 2 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium for the matchup between the Bearcats (8-1 overall) and Tigers (7-2 overall).
Northwest's MIAA Players of Week - 2019
Sam Phillips, LB - Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 9)
Braden Wright, QB - Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 16)
Jerrell Green, DB - Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 23)
Imoni Donadelle, RET/WR - Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 30)
Parker Sampson, PK - Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 7)
Marqus Andrews, TE - Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 14)
Sam Phillips, LB - Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 14)
Zach Pierce, DL - Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 2)
--- Northwest Athletics ---