ST. LOUIS – Missouri State cornerback and return specialist Montrae Braswell (Avon Park, Fla.) has been named Missouri Valley Football Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Week, the league announced Sunday (Sept. 4).
 
Braswell broke loose for a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of MSU's road win at UCA on opening night. The return came on the heels of a UCA's first scoring drive of the game, and Braswell's big play made it 27-7 at the time and put the game out of reach.
 
It was Braswell's third career kick return touchdown and the seventh-longest kickoff return in Missouri State history.
 
For the game, he averaged 65.0 yards on two kickoff return attempts in the win (the other was 32 yards), which currently leads all FCS players after the first week of the season.
 
This week's honor marks Braswell's second career MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week, also earning the honor in last season's home win over UCA (Sept. 11, 2021). He has also won the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honor once – March 13, 2021. He is a two-time All-MVFC first-team selection and consensus All-American in 2021.
 
Also recognized by the league on Sunday were: Offensive Player of the Week: Jaleel McLaughlin (Youngstown State); Co-Defensive Players of the Week: LB Adam Bock (South Dakota State) and Ryan Cole (Indiana State); Newcomer of the Week: Naseim Brantley (Western Illinois); and Co-Special Teams Player of the Week: Ryan O'Grady (Indiana State).
 
Missouri State will now begin preparations for its home opener on Thursday against UT Martin at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. The contest will kick off at 7 p.m., with BearFest Village activities commencing at 4 p.m.
 
Tickets are available at MissouriStateBears.com or through the Missouri State Tickets Box Office at Great Southern Bank Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular box office hours.