Raiders sweep TSWA awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's Jordan Parker and Kevin Byard were named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association offensive and defensive football players of the week, respectively, for their efforts on November 17. 

Parker gained 141 yards on 19 carries for the Blue Raiders in a 24-21 win over Troy University, snapping a six-game losing streak to the Trojans in the series. The freshman from Lawrenceville, Ga., set a Sun Belt Conference record with a 98-yard scoring run in the first quarter and sealed the victory with an 11-yard scamper on 3rd-and-3 with 2:34 to play. 

He has posted three consecutive 100-yard rushing games in place of Benny Cunningham, who was lost for the season because of injury. Parker also set a new freshman single-season rushing mark with 778 yards this season. 

Byard forced three turnovers in the win as well, collecting a pair of interceptions and forcing a fumble. The redshirt freshman's first interception setup a Blue Raider field goal in the opening quarter and he returned his second pick 77 yards for the eventual game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Lithonia, Ga., native also had a pass breakup and collected six tackles. Byard leads the team with four interceptions on the year, and is one of three Blue Raiders with two forced fumbles. 

Middle Tennessee plays at Arkansas State on Saturday with the conference regular season championship on the line.

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