FRISCO, Texas - McNeese sophomore defensive end RJ Staten has been named this week's Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week as well as earning honorable mention honors by STATS Perform as the national player of the week for his performance in Saturday's 10-0 win over HCU.
 
Staten was big in helping the Cowboys post the shutout, recording a career-high three sacks to go along with a forced fumble and seven tackles.
 
His sack total was the most by a Cowboy player in a game since the 2021 season when Isaiah Chambers recorded three against UIW. As a team, McNeese recorded five sacks in the game, the most this season.
 
For the season, Staten leads McNeese with 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for a loss. His sack total is ranked third in the Southland Conference and 10th in the FCS and ranks fifth in the league in TFLs.
 
This is Staten's first weekly award in his career and the third for a Cowboy this season. Quarterback Devin Lippold garnered offensive honors on Sept. 7 while linebacker Landon Barrett picked up the defensive award on Sept. 28.
 
With Saturday's shutout win, McNeese has not allowed a touchdown in back-to-back games for the first time since the 1998 season.
 
The Cowboys, who are 5-5 overall and 4-3 in league play, have won four of their last five conference games and will next play at Southeastern on Saturday at 6 p.m.