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USF Senior Earns 2nd POTWk For MSFA

University of Saint Francis senior Lucas Sparks is making the most of his last opportunity playing football for the Cougars. He has been chosen Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Sparks (Springfield, OH / Shawnee H.S.) had crucial tackle-for-loss on third-and-goal inside the USF 1-yard line that helped USF hold off Robert Morris 28-21 on Sat. (Oct. 22). Sparks dropped the MSFA leading rusher, Korey Rogers, for a 2-yard loss on the play. Sparks finished with 11 tackles, five solo, and had one quarterback hurry.

This is Sparks second POTW honor this season. Earlier this season, he set a USF record for sack yards in a game with 33 and he tied the record for sacks in a game with four against ONU. Sparks broke the record of 32 yards set by Shaton Merritt at William Penn (32 yards, 3 sacks in 2003) and tied the record set by Vincent Price with four at Walsh in 2005. Sparks has five sacks this season, 15 for his career. Sparks is the first defensive end to earn the award since Chris Van Horn in 2005.

Sparks is tied for the MSFA lead in sacks with 10 and leads the MSFA in tackles-for-loss with 14.

Lucas Sparks in NAIA top 50 stats

Ranks No. 2 in Total Sacks (9.000)

Ranks No. 5 in Sacks per Game (1.100)

Ranks No. 6 in Total Tackles For Loss (14.000)

Ranks No. 10 in Tackles For Loss per Game (1.800)

Ranks No. 16 in Fumbles Forced per Game (0.300)