Neal Named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – After spearheading a fierce pass rush that recorded 10 sacks against No. 9 Youngstown State on Saturday, junior Rickey Neal was honored as the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced on Sunday.

Neal earned a career-high 3.5 sacks in the upset win. The 10 sacks on Saturday came within one quarterback takedown of tying the program record, while the mark is tied for the highest in the FCS this season with Eastern Washington (Sept. 16 – Fordham).

"It's a blessing to receive this honor," Neal said. "But I understand that success is not owned, it's leased. I have to come back even stronger as a teammate and as an individual for the rest of the season."

Neal is the third Panther to win an MVFC weekly honor on the defensive side of the ball, with Suni Lane winning Newcomer of the Week on Oct. 1 and Jared Farley taking Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 10.

"Right now, everything is clicking," Neal said. "I'm finally at a stationary position and I'm playing at a high level with my teammates. They make me stronger, without them I accomplish nothing."

The Racine, Wis., native finished Saturday's game with six total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one hurry to go along with his 3.5 sacks. As a team the Panthers held the Penguins well below its season average on the ground, as UNI held YSU to 47 yards rushing. YSU sported the ninth-ranked rushing attack in the FCS entering the game and its previous low was 107 against FBS-foe Pittsburgh.

Neal leads the Panthers with 6.5 sacks this season, while adding 23 tackles for the year. The defensive end's 9.0 tackles for loss this season is also a team high.

UP NEXT
UNI continues its stretch against top-10 foes as the Panthers travel to No. 2 North Dakota State on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m. CT.

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Fans can purchase season and single-game tickets to UNI football home games through UNITIX. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNITIX.uni.edu.

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Neal Named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week

Players Mentioned

Jared Farley

Suni Lane

Rickey Neal Jr.

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University of Northern Iowa Athletics