Jacksonville State players earn weekly CUSA honors

After Saturday's 31-27 victory over Georgia Southern, Jacksonville State was recognized twice Monday by CUSA, as punt returner Caleb Nix was named Special Teams Player of the Week and linebacker Tristan Lyles was named Freshman of the Week.

Nix took a punt 75 yards to the end zone with 8:16 left to play to give the Gamecocks (2-2) the lead for good. Besides the return, which was his first for a touchdown, Nix had six tackles, including one in the first quarter that helped hold the Eagles to a field goal.

Lyles, a Phenix City, Ala., native like Nix, had the game-sealing interception at his own 15-yard line with 1:52 to play. The pass from Georgia Southern's Max Johnson was tipped into the air and caught by Lyles, who showed good skill getting his feet down inbounds to record the pick.

The Gamecocks open CUSA play on Saturday at home against Middle Tennessee at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN+.