#UACFOOTBALL -- With explosive performances and results marking the action for the opening weekend, United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football announced its weekly award winners Monday featuring a trio of Tarleton State players including Kasyus Kurns (Defensive Player of the Week), Tre Page III (Freshman of the Week) and Brad Larson (Specialist of the Week) along with Southern Utah's Joshua Dye as Offensive Player of the Week.

Dye, a redshirt sophomore running back, powered the Thunderbirds’ offense with a dominant performance on the ground, carrying the ball 28 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Averaging 6.4 yards per carry, Dye consistently moved the chains and wore down the defense, highlighted by a 32-yard burst that set up a scoring drive.

A senior defensive back for the Texans, Kurns recorded two interceptions, a fumble recovery and four total tackles in Tarleton State’s double overtime win at Army. His three takeaways, all came in the second half on three consecutive Black Knight drives. Kurns currently shared the lead for most interceptions across all of NCAA Division I football this season.

TSU senior kicker Larson made the game-winning field goal in his team's double overtime win at Army. He went 3-for-3 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points accounting for 12 Texan points against the FBS opponent. Larson made a 30-yard field goal to give Tarleton State a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, then hit a 28-yard field goal in the first overtime giving TSU a 27-24 lead, before capping his night with a final 37-yard field goal to secure the win for the Texans in double overtime. 

Page III, a redshirt freshman running back, stole the show in his Texans debut against Portland State racing for a 28-yard touchdown in the first quarter, then an 89-yard scamper for a score in the second quarter. He tallied 160 rushing yards in the first half alone, finishing with 170 and his two scores on 15 carries (11.3 yards per rush). Page III also added 89 yards on 14 carries and another rushing score in TSU's win at Army.

 

DATE	OFFENSIVE	DEFENSIVE	SPECIALIST	FRESHMAN
Sept. 1	Joshua Dye (Southern Utah)	Kasyus Kurns (Tarleton State)	Brad Larson (Tarleton State)	Tre Page III (Tarleton State)

Other Nominees
Offensive:
Chris Parson (APSU); Brady Hensley (EKU); Tre Page III (TSU); Latrelle Murrell (UWG)
Defensive: 
Ellis Ellis Jr. (APSU); Vito Tisdale Jr. (EKU); Sebastian Adamski (SUU); Dallin Havea (UTU); David Hoage (UWG)
Specialist:
Carson Smith (APSU); Trace Beard (UCA); Jacob Baker (EKU); Ian Vachon (UNA); Jayden Rogers (SUU); DeAndre Buchannon (UWG)
Freshman: 
Montreze Smith (APSU); Bishop Burkhalter (UNA); Dallin Havea (UTU); TJ Lester (UWG)