FRISCO – McNeese quarterback Jake Strong, Lamar defensive end Andrew Huff, and Lamar wide receiver and specialist Kendric Malone have been named the Southland Conference football weekly award winners for Week 3, the league announced Monday.
Offensive Player of the Week: Jake Strong, McNeese – QB – So. – Justin, Texas (Northwest HS)
Strong accounted for four touchdowns in McNeese's near-miraculous comeback against Weber State. He threw for two scores and rushed for another two, including a 19-yard scramble with 42 seconds remaining to pull the Cowboys within 42-41 after trailing 42-21 with just nine minutes left in the game. Strong completed 20 of 39 passes for 278 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, both of which came off the hands of open receivers. He added 45 rushing yards and two touchdowns to finish with 323 total yards of offense.
Honorable Mention: Jaylon Domingeaux, Southeastern
Defensive Player of the Week: Andrew Huff, Lamar – DE – Jr. – Stafford, Texas (Stafford HS)
Huff played a key role in Lamar's defensive effort that limited Texas Southern to just seven points and 196 yards of total offense. He recorded four tackles, including two solo stops, and led the team with 1.5 sacks for 12 yards in losses.
Honorable Mention: KK Reno, Southeastern and Elijah Graham, UTRGV
Special Teams Player of the Week: Kendric Malone, Lamar – WR – Jr. – Tatum, Texas (Tatum HS)
Malone spearheaded a dominant special teams performance that gave Lamar the momentum to build an insurmountable lead against Texas Southern. He blocked two punts, both returned for touchdowns, including one he personally brought back 20 yards to cap Texas Southern’s opening offensive series. Big Red also blocked a field goal on its way to a 28-7 halftime advantage.
2025 Southland Football Players of the Week
| Date |
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special Teams |
| Sept. 1 |
Miequle Brock, Jr., Nicholls |
Fernando Washington, Northwestern State |
Cooper Evans, Northwestern State |
| Sept. 8 |
Nathan Denney, UTRGV |
Kristian Pugh, Lamar |
Ben Woodard, Lamar |
| Sept. 15 |
Jake Strong, McNeese |
Andrew Huff, Lamar |
Kendric Malone, Lamar |
Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.