By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football earned a pair of Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week honors after linebacker Rob Hicks was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week and Tyler Larco garnered OVC Specialist of the Week honors.
The duo continued a theme of strong individual performances for UT Martin as the team has claimed 14 weekly honors for the OVC. Through the team’s nine contest, the Skyhawks have earned multiple player of the week selections six times.
A native of Miami, Fla., Hicks picked up his first OVC Defensive Player of the Week accolade of his career after a record-setting performance against Kennesaw State. Hicks was all over the field in a matchup against the Owls triple-option offense by notching a program Division I record with 26 total tackles. He had eight solos and 18 assists in the contest while his combined total ranked as the most by a NCAA player this season (any level) and ranked second-most in OVC history.
Larco, also a Miami native, earned the sixth OVC Specialist of the Week honor of his career after a strong day against KSU. Larco tallied nine points on kicking by making 2-of-3 field goal attempts and converting all three PATs. He also left his mark in three punt attempts by averaging 55.7 yards per attempt – including a career-long 75 yarder which ranked as the second-longest punt in school history and second-longest in the FCS this season. He also averaged 62.8 yards per kickoff with one touchback.
UT Martin returns to Ohio Valley Conference play with back-to-back league contests to end the regular season. The Skyhawks will continue their championship quest with a road matchup at Tennessee State on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information