Ten Gateway Conference players have been named to their respective district Academic All-America teams this week. QB Russ Michna and OL Perry Cox of Western Illinois both hold perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point averages and represent the league on the District V team. Joining Michna and Cox on the All-District V University Division Football Team are TE Chris Kupec of Southern Illinois; RB Jake Shields of Indiana State; OL Marc Phillips of Indiana State; PK Stephen Carroll of Illinois State; DL Tom Brillhart of Indiana State; and LB Royal Whitaker of Southern Illinois. (more...)

Southwest Missouri State wide receiver Steven Rush, Cal Poly linebacker Jordan Beck, and Maine return man Arel Gordon have been honored as national I-AA players of the week by The Sports Network. Rush was also selected as one of this week's "All-Stars" by I-AA.org. Rush had a magnificent receiving day against Illinois State, Beck was all over the field in the Mustangs’ win over UC Davis, and Gordon returned his way toward a Black Bear blowout of Morgan State.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Steven Rush, Southwest Missouri State Junior, Wide Receiver, 5-11, 195, Omaha, NE Caught six passes for a school-record 249 yards and four touchdowns in Southwest Missouri State’s 48-43 loss to Illinois State, also returning a kickoff 88 yards for a score on the day...posted scoring catches