Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blankenship named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week
10/4/2021 12:01:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO – Middle Tennessee senior Reed Blankenship was honored as the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week Monday after helping lead the Blue Raiders to a 34-28 upset win over Marshall. It is the third honor of Blankenship's career.
Blankenship, the all-time leading tackler in Blue Raider history, had seven tackles to go with two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a pass breakup to key the home win for Middle Tennessee.
Late in the third quarter with Marshall threatening to pull to within one score, Blankenship picked up a fumble and raced 90 yards to the end zone to give the Blue Raiders a critical score.
It was the second defensive TD of Blankenship's career and the fourth longest under Stockstill. In fact, Blankenship has two of the four longest defensive scores under Stockstill with a 100-yard interception return vs. Old Dominion in 2018, and the 90-yard fumble return vs. Marshall.
Overall, this was the 81st conference player of the week winner under Head Coach Rick Stockstill with 32 coming in Conference USA and 49 from the Sun Belt. A total of 25 have been on offense, 33 on defense and 23 on special teams.
Blankenship, the all-time leading tackler in Blue Raider history, had seven tackles to go with two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a pass breakup to key the home win for Middle Tennessee.
Late in the third quarter with Marshall threatening to pull to within one score, Blankenship picked up a fumble and raced 90 yards to the end zone to give the Blue Raiders a critical score.
It was the second defensive TD of Blankenship's career and the fourth longest under Stockstill. In fact, Blankenship has two of the four longest defensive scores under Stockstill with a 100-yard interception return vs. Old Dominion in 2018, and the 90-yard fumble return vs. Marshall.
Overall, this was the 81st conference player of the week winner under Head Coach Rick Stockstill with 32 coming in Conference USA and 49 from the Sun Belt. A total of 25 have been on offense, 33 on defense and 23 on special teams.
Players Mentioned
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