DeKALB, Ill. – For the fourth consecutive game, a Northern Illinois University football player has been honored by the Mid-American Conference as NIU linebacker Bobby Jones IV on Monday was named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week by the league office.
 
Jones, a senior from Miami Gardens, Fla., led another magnificent effort by the Huskie defense in a 14-13 win at Buffalo. He made six tackles, four solo, and had two of the Huskies' four sacks on the day.  NIU, which ranks seventh in the country in total defense, ninth in rushing defense and sixth in passing efficiency defense, gave up just 39 rushing yards in the Buffalo game, including only one net yard in the second half when the Huskies shut out the Bulls. 
 
Both of Jones' sacks came in the fourth quarter and resulted in 14 yards in losses. His first sack came with Buffalo facing third and 10 on the NIU 11-yard line and forced the Bulls into a field goal try, which was missed.  The second came on the next drive, which ended in a Huskie interception.  Overall, four of his tackles came in the second half.
 
Jones leads NIU in tackles with 54 on the season, while his eight tackles for loss and three sacks rank second on the team.  The MAC West Player of the Week Award is the second of his career with the first occurring two years ago in the same week when he won the honor on Oct. 17, 2015 following his performance in a win over Miami (Ohio).    
 
Jones is the fifth Huskie, and the third defensive player, to be honored with a MAC Weekly award this season.  He follows defensive end Sutton Smith, who won the same award last week following the Kent State game. Linebacker Jawuan Johnson earned the defensive award following NIU's win over Nebraska, while wide receiver Christian Blake and punter Matt Ference were named the offensive and special teams players of the week, respectively, following the San Diego State game. A year ago, NIU players collected four weekly player honors from the league on the season with just one earned by a defensive player. 
 
NIU (4-2, 2-0 MAC) returns to the road this Saturday, Oct. 21, as the Huskies take on Bowling Green. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. (CT) from Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green and can be seen on ESPN3 and the ESPN App. 
 
Tickets to the Huskies' three remaining home games, beginning Thursday, Oct. 26 when NIU takes on Eastern Michigan at 6 p.m. at Huskie Stadium.  On Monday the game was announced for national television broadcast on CBS Sports Network.  Tickets are on sale through the NIU Athletics Ticket Office in the Convocation Center, by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) or online at NIUHuskies.com. 
 
-- NIU --