Coastal Carolina’s Likely, Texas State’s Tupou and Troy’s Buce earn Sun Belt weekly accolades following conference victories.

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
(Sr., TE – Cambridge, Mass.)

Chanticleers senior Isaiah Likely became the first player in Coastal Carolina history and the first tight end in Sun Belt history to catch four touchdown passes in a single game. The Cambridge, Mass., native also set new career highs with eight catches, 232 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the 52-20 win at Arkansas State. Likely’s 232 receiving yards are the second-most in Coastal Carolina’s 19-year history and the third-most in the Sun Belt’s 21-year history.

Football Defensive Player of the Week
Sione Tupou, Texas State
(Jr., LB – Allen, Texas)

Bobcats junior linebacker Sione Tupou tallied a career and game-high 14 tackles as Texas State outlasted South Alabama, 33-31, in four overtimes. The Allen, Texas, product came up big for the Bobcats in the extra periods. Tupou had a fumble recovery in the second overtime—after a missed field goal attempt for the Bobcats—and also knocked down a pass in the third overtime period to set up the game-winning two-point conversion in the fourth overtime stanza.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Brooks Buce, Troy
(Jr., K – Johns Creek, Ga.)

Troy junior kicker Brooks Buce kicked the game-winning 24-yard field goal with 1:46 to play in the Trojans 27-24 victory over Georgia Southern. The Johns Creek, Ga., native was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts on the day, also converting from 29 yards out in the first quarter. Georgia transfer Buce, who had not attempted a field goal in a game in 1,751 days prior to a 32-yarder at ULM on Sept. 25, is now 3-for-3 on field goals on the season.

2021 Sun Belt Football Offensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Corey Rucker, Arkansas State
Week 2 – Reese White, Coastal Carolina
Week 3 – Montrell Johnson, Louisiana
Week 4 – Nate Noel, App State
Week 5 – Logan Wright, Georgia Southern
Week 6 – Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

2021 Sun Belt Football Defensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Zion Williams, Troy
Week 2 – Josaiah Stewart, Coastal Carolina
Week 3 – Javon Solomon, Troy
Week 4 – Ja’Cquez Williams, ULM
Week 5 – D’Marco Jackson, App State
Week 6 – Sione Tupou, Texas State

2021 Sun Belt Football Special Teams Players of the Week
Week 1 – Britton Williams, Georgia Southern
Week 2 – Diego Guajardo, South Alabama
Week 3 – Calum Sutherland, ULM
Week 4 – Alan Lamar, Arkansas State
Week 5 – Chris Smith, Louisiana
Week 6 – Brooks Buce, Troy