BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – First-year Southeast Missouri quarterback Paxton DeLaurent was a unanimous pick for both Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Week, and kicker DC Pippin was named Co-Specialist of the Week Sunday.
 
DeLaurent, who hails from Camdenton, Missouri, threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns to lead SEMO to a 34-31 upset over #17 Southern Illinois. He completed 33-of-44 passes and did not throw an interception. At one time, DeLaurent completed 16 passes in a row. 
 
The Redhawks trailed, 31-27, when DeLaurent threw the game-winning touchdown, a 2-yard pass to Damoriea Vick with 11 seconds left. He completed passes to nine different receivers and had the most passing yards in a game by a SEMO quarterback since 2018 (386, Daniel Santacaterina, at UT Martin). 
 
A native of Springfield, Illinois, Pippin scored 10 points on 2-of-3 field goals and a perfect 4-of-4 PATs. He split the uprights from 50 and 45 yards, respectively. Pippin's 50-yard field goal tied the game with 4:19 remaining in the third quarter. His 45-yard kick then gave SEMO the lead five seconds into the fourth period. Pippin also kicked off five times for 294 yards, averaging 58.8 yards per kickoff.
 
UT Martin linebacker John Ford II (Co-Defensive), Lindenwood linebacker Tyrone Griffin (Co-Defensive) and Lindenwood kicker Logan Seibert (Co-Specialist) completed this week's honorees.