Cole, O’Grady claim MVFC Week One Player of the Week honors

By Press release submission

Sep 9, 2022

Indiana State sophomore safety Rylan Cole (Defensive) and freshman placekicker Ryan O'Grady (Special Teams) took home Missouri Valley Football Conference Player of the Week honors following the Sycamores' Week One win over North Alabama.

Cole took home the weekly recognition for the first time in his collegiate career following a dominant showing at home against the Lions. The McCordsville, Ind. native was all over the field on Thursday night against the Lions matching a career-high with eight tackles, while adding 2.5 tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, and two pass breakups.

His first interception set up the short field for Indiana State's go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, while he secured the final interception on the last play of the game on the desperation heave toward the end zone. He nearly added a third interception in the first half off a tipped ball. Cole's 2.5 tackles-for-loss led the Sycamores to a Curt Mallory-era 15.0 tackle-for-loss game on the afternoon as the Sycamores limited the Lions to just eight total rushing yards.

O'Grady also took home the weekly honors following his first collegiate game. The Lockport, Ill. native was clutch in going a perfect 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts in Indiana State's 17-14 win.

He connected on field goals from 22 and 26 yards in regulation, while his 25-yard attempt went down the middle in overtime to secure the win. O'Grady's three-field goal day made him the first ISU placekicker to converted three attempts in a game since Jerry Nunez made a trio of field goals twice back in 2018.

The Week One Missouri Valley Football Conference players of the week included TB Jaleel McLaughlin of Youngstown State; LB Adam Bock of South Dakota State; S Ryan Cole of Indiana State; PK Ryan O'Grady of Indiana State; CB/RS Montrae Braswell of Missouri State; and WR Naseim Brantley of Western Illinois.

Up Next

Indiana State is back in action on Saturday, September 10, as the Sycamores travel to Ross-Ade Stadium for a 4 p.m. kickoff at Purdue University. The game is set to be carried live on the Big Ten Network.