SLU’s Lyons Claims Southland Weekly Honors

HAMMOND, La. – After making an immediate impact in his debut as a punt returner, Southeastern Louisiana senior defensive back Max Lyons was named the Southland Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.

Lyons, a native of Los Angeles, California, is the first Lion to earn Southland Player of the Week honors since defensive back Demareyeh Lane was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14, 2015.

The last SLU player prior to Lyons to earn Southland Special Teams Player of the Week accolades was Ryan Adams. The former Lion placekicker earned the recognition on Oct. 6, 2014.

Lyons finished Southeastern’s season-opening 51-48 loss at UL Lafayette with 33.3 yards per return on three returns. On his first return as a Lion, he zig-zagged through the Ragin’ Cajuns’ coverage for a 60-yard first-quarter touchdown.

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Later in the quarter, he took another punt back 34 yards to set SLU up inside the UL Lafayette five-yard line and lead to an eventual Lion touchdown. Lyons is the first Lion to return a punt for a touchdown since former SLU wide receiver Tony McCrea returned a punt 54 yards for a score in a 42-27 win over Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 10, 2012.

Southeastern will open its home schedule on Saturday, hosting Bethune-Cookman at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.

The game will be televised on Eleven Sports Network (check cable/satellite provider for availability) and will be streamed live on the Southland Digital Network at www.southland.org. The game can also be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU 90.9 FM, Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM, WFPR 1400 AM), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the TuneIn Radio app.

Saturday will also be Faculty, Family and Band Day at Strawberry Stadium. SLU faculty and staff will receive two free tickets with the presentation of their university ID at the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office. Local high school band and spirit members will join SLU’s Spirit of the Southland band for the halftime show. Fans are encouraged to get to the stadium early as the new Roomie will be revealed prior to kickoff. For more information visitwww.LionSports.net/footballpromos.