Taylor Sweeps MSFA Weekly Honors After Overtime Win at ONU
UPLAND, Ind. – Following its 58-51 overtime win at Olivet Nazarene to improve to 2-0 on the young season, the Taylor football team swept the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Player-of-the-Week honors, with Jameson Chesser, Reid Messer and Lucas Shilts all being recognized.
Chesser was named the MSFA Mideast League Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 206 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojan victory. Chesser averaged 7.6 yards per touch over his 27 carries, set up TU's game-tying field goal in the closing seconds with a 23-yard reception and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
Messer was named the MSFA Mideast League Defensive Player of the Week after coming up with two key interceptions and long returns. Messer picked off back-to-back passes in the first half, returning the first pick 45 yards for a touchdown and the second for 16 yards to set up another Taylor touchdown.
Shilts took home MSFA Mideast League Special Teams Player-of-the-Week honors after taking care of 10 points for the Trojans. Shilts converted on seven-of-eight point-after attempts and also split the uprights from 31 yards out with 10 seconds remaining to force the overtime session.
The MSFA Player-of-the-Week honor is the first for Chesser and Messer, with Shilts taking the honor for the third time.
With the three awards, Taylor Athletics has now claimed five weekly honors for the 2024-2025 year, with four coming from the football team.
Taylor (2-0, 1-0 MSFA) will return to action on Saturday, September 14, with a 7:00 pm start time inside Turner Stadium against Judson (1-0).