ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Pioneer Football League announced its Players of the Week following Week 2 action across the league. Butler kicker and punter Ryan Short hit two 22-yard field goals, including the game-winner with nine seconds remaining to help the Bulldogs win at Murray State. His effort was enough to claim PFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Offensive Player of the Week
Luke Bailey, Drake (Graduate, Quarterback, Lemont, Illinois)
Bailey's overtime touchdown pass to Trey Radocha capped an impressive day as he led Drake past Eastern Washington, 35-32, on the road. Bailey completed 28-of-48 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns on the red turf for the league's second win against a Big Sky opponent this season. Bailey's top two receivers – Radocha and Mitchell January – had 100-yard receiving days behind his effort. It was his best single-game yardage since a 411-yard outing against St. Thomas last season.

Others Nominated
- Butler quarterback Nick Howard amassed 175 total offensive yards (85 rushing and 90 passing) and ran for two touchdowns to help power a 19-17 road victory at Missouri Valley Conference foe Murray State – the PFL's first win against the MVFC since 2019 (Dayton at Indiana State).

- Davidson running back Mason Sheron ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats downed Catawba, 49-14, in the first game at Davidson College Stadium.

- Morehead State quarterback Connor Genal threw three touchdown passes in his first collegiate start, completing 15-of-23 passes for 221 yards in a 48-7 victory against Kentucky Christian.

- San Diego quarterback Grant Sergent had a three-touchdown day to lead a 26-7 victory against Central Washington. He completed 19-of-31 passes for 231 yards in the Toreros second-straight win to start the season.

- Stetson wide receiver Fabian Baez hauled in nine receptions for 164 yards and three touchdowns as the Hatters rolled past Warner, 35-0. It was the fifth-best receiving performance in Stetson history.

- Valparaiso quarterback Caron Tyler entered the game in the second quarter and enjoyed a three-touchdown day (two rushing and one passing) while amassing 280 total offensive yards in a road loss at Youngstown State.

Defensive Player of the Week
Kyle Elphick, Stetson (Sophomore, Linebacker, Roswell, Georgia)
Elphick's 14-tackle outing led a Stetson defensive unit that posted the program's first shutout since its restart in 2013 with a 35-0 victory against Warner. He had eight solo tackles on the afternoon and was credited with three tackles for loss – all sacks – a forced fumble and a pass breakup. In one sequence in the first quarter, Elphick forced a fumble on a reception and then sacked the quarterback on consecutive plays to force a punt.  

Others Nominated
- Butler cornerback Will Mason had five tackles, including one for loss, and an interception in the Bulldogs' 19-17 victory at MVFC foe Murray State.

- Davidson safety Dominic Njoku posted a team-best nine tackles in a 49-14 win against Catawba and filled in the stat sheet with a forced fumble, interception, pass break up, and a tackle for loss.

- Drake linebacker Sebastian Adamski notched 11 tackles, including one for loss, and forced a fumble as the Bulldogs won 35-32 at Big Sky foe Eastern Washington.

- Morehead State safety Matthew McClelland tied a program record with three interceptions in a 48-7 victory against Kentucky Christian. He returned one of those picks 50 yards and had six tackles, including a half tackle for loss.

- Presbyterian linebacker Nathan Hajduk had a busy day in a 31-14 victory against Erskine. He recorded a career-high 11 tackles, including one for loss, and added a pass breakup and his first career interception.

- San Diego defensive lineman Jae'Von Reels provided a pick-six in a 26-7 victory against Central Washington. His 33-yard interception return for a touchdown padded the Toreros lead and was complemented by four tackles, including a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. It is the second straight game the San Diego defense has recorded a pick six. 

Special Teams Player of the Week
Ryan Short, Butler (Sophomore, Kicker/Punter, Hinsdale, Illinois)
Short's 22-yard field goal with nine seconds left lifted Butler to a 19-17 victory at Missouri Valley Conference foe Murray State. It was one of two 22-yard field goals he hit in the win, and he also had a PAT to account for seven of the Bulldogs' 19 points. Short's two punts averaged 38.5 yards and were both downed inside the 20-yard line. He also had four kickoffs with one touchback.

Others Nominated
- Drake kicker Shane Dunning scored 11 points in the 35-32 overtime win at Eastern Washington. He was 3-of-5 on field goal attempts, with his makes coming from 47, 44, and 41 yards, while both misses came from 53-plus yards. He also hit two PATs and averaged 40.0 yards on three punts.

- Morehead State kick returner Nathan Garnett Jr. posted his first career punt return for a touchdown in a 48-7 victory against Kentucky Christian. He had two touchdowns on the day, his 56-yard punt return and an earlier 63-yard touchdown reception. Garnett Jr. averaged 35.0 yards on his two punt returns.

- Presbyterian running back Zach Switzer's 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown highlighted his busy day as part of a 31-14 victory at Erskine. He finished the day with 229 all-purpose yards – 112 on his two kick returns, 67 yards receiving, and 50 yards rushing. Switzer also had a 67-yard touchdown reception as part of his two-TD day.