Northern Illinois University linebacker Daveren Rayner (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) and punter Tom Foley (Peoria, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame/Minnesota) earned Mid-American Conference West Division weekly awards on Monday for their play in this past Saturday night’s game at #8 Kentucky.

Rayner was named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Huskies with 10 tackles against the Wildcats. The sophomore linebacker sacked UK quarterback Will Levis in the fourth quarter, one of five sacks for NIU on the night. NIU held Kentucky under 100 yards rushing and its five sacks were the most by a Wildcat opponent this season. Rayner leads the Huskies with 42 tackles which ranks him second in the MAC.

Foley averaged 47.2 yards per punt Saturday night, with three inside the Wildcats’ 20 yard line. His punt of 61 yards in the second quarter was his longest of the season and bounced out of bounds at the Kentucky two yard line. Foley leads the MAC in punting, averaging 46.3 yards per punt.

The Huskies open MAC play on the road this Saturday, October 1 at Ball State. Kickoff for the Battle for the Bronze Stalk is set for 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET with the game being broadcast on ESPN+. The conference also announced that NIU’s game against Toledo on Saturday, October 8 will be on ESPN+ with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT.