RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference has announced the league's weekly honors and finding herself on the list is the redshirt sophomore from Carthage, Texas, Zay Woods after his performance on the road against Southern Nazarene. Woods was announced as the league's defensive player of the week thanks to his efforts from the weekend.
 
With the Lone Star native's honor, it marks the first time since 2016 that Mulerider football had gained the titles of offensive, defensive, and special teams player of week in the same campaign. Woods is the first Mulerider to earn GAC defensive player of the week since his teammate Gavin Rose received the honor in 2021.
 
Woods recorded six solo tackles and two assisted tackles in which included a tackle for loss resulting in a seven-yard loss. The Panola County native's most important stat of the evening came in the last minutes of the ballgame when he picked off all-conference quarterback Gage Porter to seal the deal in Bethany, Oklahoma.
 
The Muleriders will be back at home as they continue preparations for the homecoming matchup against the Oklahoma Baptist Bison inside Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell Field at 2:30 p.m. For more information on these and other upcoming events, check out www.MuleriderAthletics.com.