Football | October 14, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan senior linebacker Drake Spears earned Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week honors following his seven tackles and 74-yard interception return for a touchdown during the Broncos' 38-16 victory against Miami (Ohio) this past Saturday, announced the league office Monday.

The accolade is the fourth league weekly award for Western Michigan this season and first of Spears' career.

Versus the RedHawks on Saturday, Spears anchored the Bronco defense as it limited Miami (Ohio) to just one touchdown and fewer than 20 total points. With the RedHawks leading 6-0 after the first quarter, Spears darted in front of a Brett Gabbert pass in the second quarter and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown to put the Broncos ahead 7-6.

Spears, a 6-1, 235-pound native of Aurora, Ill., recorded his second interception of the season, and second in as many games. His 74-yard runback is the longest INT return in the MAC this fall. It was the first interception returned for a touchdown by a Bronco since Darius Phillips took one back 43 yards on Nov. 8, 2017, against Kent State. Spears and the Bronco defense held Miami (Ohio) to just 127 yards after halftime and 2.5 yards per rush during the final 30 minutes.

The MAC's other weekly honors included Bowling Green's Grant Loy (East Division Offensive), Kent State's Elvis Hines (East Division Defensive) and Matthew Trickett (East Division Special Teams) and Northern Illinois' Tre Harbison (West Division Offensive) and John Richardson (West Division Special Teams).

Western Michigan (4-3, 2-1 MAC) is back on the field Saturday for a 7 p.m. visit to Eastern Michigan (3-3, 0-2 MAC). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

#LetsRide