FRISCO, Texas – Nicholls wide receiver Jackson Dufrene and linebacker Kennon Loftin along with Lamar Kicker Andres Sandoval have earned the Southland Conference's weekly football awards following Week 2 of the season, the conference office announced Monday.
Offensive Player of the Week: Jackson Dufrene, Nicholls – WR – Sr. – Lafayette, La. (C.E. Byrd High School)
Dufrene tied a school record with three touchdown catches in the Colonels' win over UTRGV, totaling a career-high 100 yards on five receptions in the team's Southland-opening win. Dufrene hauled in an 18-yard pass for the game's first touchdown, then made the catch of the night with a one-handed grab for a 20-yard score. He added a 53-yard catch-and-run to set up the go-ahead field goal before halftime. He capped his night with a 3-yard touchdown reception on fourth down in the third quarter.
Defensive Player of the Week: Kennon Loftin, Nicholls – LB – Sr. – Laurel, Miss. (West Jones High School)
Loftin led the Colonels with 12 tackles and an interception in their victory over UTRGV. He set the tone on the opening possession with that interception, returning it 26 yards to set up a touchdown drive. Loftin helped limit the Vaqueros to 63 yards rushing—after they entered the game averaging 224—and just 327 total yards. He leads the Colonels in tackles, ranking sixth in the Southland with eight per game.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Andres Sandoval, Lamar – K – Fr. – Port Neches, Texas (Port Neches-Groves High School)
Sandoval scored 11 points in Lamar's 23-17 victory at Idaho. He was a perfect 2-of-2 on PATs and 3-of-4 on field-goal attempts converting from 36, 48 and 45 yards. Early in the first half Sandoval delivered two key field goals to give the Cardinals' control of the game after a slow offensive start. His final field goal came at the start of the fourth quarter, distancing Big Red from any threat of a Vandals rally.
2026 Southland Football Players of the Week
| Date |
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special Teams |
| Aug. 31 |
Cutter Stewart, HCU |
Jayven Anderson, HCU |
Lukasz Smolen, HCU |
| Sept. 7 |
Devin Lippold, McNeese |
Lowote Jurkin, SFA |
Carlos Alvarado, SFA |
| Sept. 14 |
Jackson Dufrene, Nicholls |
Kennon Loftin, Nicholls |
Andres Sandoval, Lamar |