RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Cooper Sanders has been named this week's Great American Conference (GAC) Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against Southwestern Oklahoma State last weekend. The award is the first POTW for the Muleriders this season. It is also the first special teams POTW since September 11th, 2023, when Andrew Schreiner claimed the award.
 
Sanders, a native of Springhill, Louisiana put on an outstanding performance against the Bulldogs this past weekend. The Redshirt Sophomore totaled 139 return yards which included a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that proved to be the difference in the game. Sanders' kickoff return was the last kickoff return for a touchdown by a Mulerider since Melvin Smith Jr. took one back 99-yards against SWOSU in 2024.