Don Jerry, a sophomore in psychology and running back on the football team, was awarded with the Lonestar Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after his 91-yard kickoff return touchdown at the Texas A&M Kingsville game, Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Jerry’s fourth-quarter touchdown helped put away MSU’s 49-41 win.

“When he scored you could hear the crowd screaming and everyone on the sidelines cheering,” said Sir’Vell Ford, a freshman in criminal justice and defensive back on the football team. “In my mind, all I could think was that God wanted us to special and that we were meant to win that game.”

Jerry accumulated 176 yards on five returns—the second most in a single game in MSU’s history. Jerry’s 91-yard kick return for a touchdown was the school’s first since Tremaine Forrest went 92 yards on the opening kickoff against Northeastern State in 2003. Jerry’s return is also the fourth longest for an MSU return man.

“All I thought about when I caught the ball was to find my returner and follow him to victory,” said Jerry. “With great blocks coming from the return squad, anyone could have done it but I’m glad I had the liberty to do it first. Now I’m ready to do it over this week.”

Jerry has been playing football since he was in middle school and has been playing for MSU for two years.

“It wasn’t really an option to play football, it just happened to be a second calling,” said Jerry. “I wanted to play running back because my favorite athletes, Emmitt Smith and Deon Sanders, played in that position.”

Jerry said school always comes before football.

“I spend 30-45 minutes a day alone just working on fundamentals,” said Jerry.

Jerry said playing football has taught him to overcome adversity and to always keep pushing.

“Never give up and just have fun,” Jerry said as advice for younger athletes.