Nov. 7, 2010

ST. LOUIS - Illinois State sophomore wide receiver Tyrone Walker and junior wide receiver Marcus King each played big parts in the Redbirds' thrilling come-from-behind victory over Youngstown State at Hancock Stadium Saturday. For their efforts, Walker and King were named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, by the league office Sunday.

The weekly honors are the first for both Walker and King in their careers at ISU and upped the Redbirds' total to seven on the season. Quarterback Matt Brown, linebacker Austin Davis, kicker/punter Steven Fetzer, and newcomers Ashton Leggett and Marvon Sanders have also been honored by the conference throughout the season for their weekly efforts.

Walker hauled in the game-winning 40-yard touchdown pass with less than a second remaining to cap off a career day against Youngstown State. The Indianapolis, Ind., native finished the day with career highs in catches (9), yards (206) and touchdowns (3) and recorded his third-consecutive game with over 100 yards receiving and fifth of the season overall . His three touchdown catches tie for third in the ISU single-game record book and his 206 yards receiving mark the fifth-highest single-game total in school history. Walker leads the Redbirds and all receivers in the conference with 904 yards on the season and also leads all MVFC receivers with 12 touchdown receptions.

King blocked his second punt of the season and it resulted in a TD in ISU's 41-39 victory over the Penguins. The Bloomington, Ill., native broke through the line and blocked a Stephen Blose punt attempt and teammate Jake Detmers scooped up the ball at the two yard line and ran it into the end zone for the touchdown. It marked the second punt block on the season for King that was recovered for a touchdown, with Mike Hiestand scoring on the other against Southern Illinois. King also recorded a tackle on special teams for the Redbirds and caught 13-yard touchdown pass from Brown on offense to cap off a solid day. On the season, King has recorded seven tackles on the kickoff coverage team, including one against the Penguins, and has caught two touchdowns on three catches.

Illinois State will close out the 2010 season Saturday, Nov. 13, against in-state rival Eastern Illinois on Senior Day. The meeting will be the 99th in the all-time series between the two schools and kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Hancock Stadium.

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