KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pittsburg State University redshirt senior defensive end Malik Berry was selected the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week Monday (Oct. 28) and graduate punter Casey Rauch was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week.

Berry led a tenacious Pitt State defense that limited previously unbeaten Central Oklahoma to season lows of 21 points and 92 rushing yards in the No. 6 Gorillas 35-21 road win over the No. 9 ranked Bronchos Saturday (Oct. 26).

The Lawrence, Kan., native posted a career best six tackles (two solo) including 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 0.5 QB sacks. He also batted down two passes as the Gorillas recorded a school single game record 15 PBUs in the contest while holding UCO quarterback Jeff Huff to a season low .475 completion percentage on his 61 passing attempts in the game. Berry also was credited with a QB hurry, his fifth in the last two games.

Rauch played a key role in field position Saturday against the Bronchos. The Alexandria, Ky., native punted six times for a 41.5 yard average, placing three kicks inside the UCO 20 yard line. His final four punts in the second half - as the Gorillas held the Bronchos scoreless over the game's final 27 minutes - resulted with UCO having an average starting field position of the Bronchos 14 yard line.