University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Elerson G. Smith Named MVFC Player of the Week
9/22/2019 7:40:00 PM | Football
ST. LOUIS – UNI junior defensive end Elerson G. Smith was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week after a standout game against Idaho State Saturday in the UNI-Dome.
Smith recorded a career-high three sacks to go along with a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss and nine tackles. He also had a forced fumble and a knocked down a pass.
He led UNI to a stifling defensive performance. The Panthers held Idaho State to 203 yards of offense and just 69 yards rushing. The Panther defense tallied three interceptions, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Through the last six games, dating back to last season, Smith has 13.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
He was also named the College Sports Madness MVFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Smith is the third Panther to earn conference honors this season. Matthew Cook earned special teams honors after the week one triple overtime loss to Iowa State and Will McElvain was named Newcomer of the Week after the Southern Utah game.
The Panthers are on the road for their first game outside the state of Iowa this weekend when they face Weber State in a likely top-10 match up in Ogden, Utah, Saturday.
Smith recorded a career-high three sacks to go along with a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss and nine tackles. He also had a forced fumble and a knocked down a pass.
He led UNI to a stifling defensive performance. The Panthers held Idaho State to 203 yards of offense and just 69 yards rushing. The Panther defense tallied three interceptions, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Through the last six games, dating back to last season, Smith has 13.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
He was also named the College Sports Madness MVFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Smith is the third Panther to earn conference honors this season. Matthew Cook earned special teams honors after the week one triple overtime loss to Iowa State and Will McElvain was named Newcomer of the Week after the Southern Utah game.
The Panthers are on the road for their first game outside the state of Iowa this weekend when they face Weber State in a likely top-10 match up in Ogden, Utah, Saturday.
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