Will Cook County News

Press release provided by Chris Dbur, SXU’s Sport’s Information Director. Edited by Claude Martinez. Press release linked here.

Swayne Claims MSFA Midwest Defensive Player of the Week Honors

CHICAGO – Junior linebacker Chris Swayne (LaSalle, Ill./LaSalle-Peru Township) was named the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League Defensive Player of the Week for the No. 18 ranked Saint Xavier University football team (4-2, 0-0 MSFA Midwest) when the awards were announced by the league office Monday afternoon. Swayne collected four tackles with a pair of interceptions, one returned 45 yards for a touchdown, and a pass breakup in SXU’s 45-14 victory over Defiance College (Ohio) this past Saturday at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field in Chicago, Ill.

• It’s the second time in Swayne’s career that he has earned MSFA Midwest League Defensive Player of the Week as he also won the award on October 9, 2023.
• He became the first Cougar to return an interception for a touchdown since last season when Swayne’s former teammate and now assistant coach Tyler Barnette (2020-23) had a ‘Pick-Six’ against Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) on November 4.
• Swayne is also the first Saint Xavier player to have two interceptions in a game since his former teammate and current assistant coach Ron Carroll (2019-23) came away with two interceptions, including a ‘Pick-Six’, at Trinity International University (Ill.) on October 22, 2022.
• Through six games this year, Swayne leads the team with 59 tackles (16 solos), along with 5.0 tackles for loss for 17 yards, four pass breakups, two interceptions, two quarterback hurries and a blocked kick.

No. 18 Saint Xavier (4-2, 0-0 MSFA Midwest) hosts University of St. Francis (Ill.) on Saturday, October 19 for Homecoming at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field. The game is scheduled for a 12:00 pm kickoff.

Read the full SXU Athletics’ press release here.

Special thank you to Chris Dbur (SXU’s Sports Information Director).

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