Sunday, November 5, 2023
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Pioneer Football League announced its Players of the Week following Week 10’s action. Butler quarterback Bret Bushka picked up his first Offensive Player of the Week award. San Diego cornerback Zamir Wallace and Dayton linebacker Aiden McKinley shared the PFL Defensive Player of the Week honor. Valparaiso punter Evan Matthes was the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week.

Offensive

Bret Bushka, Butler (Senior, Quarterback, Lombard, Illinois)

Bushka was responsible for six touchdowns as Butler downed Morehead State 49-7 in Saturday’s PFL action. He completed 16-of-17 passes for 281 yards and five first-half touchdowns before adding a second-half rushing touchdown. Bushka pushed the Bulldogs to a 21-0 lead with three touchdown throws in the first quarter alone, connecting on pass plays of 25, 28, and 61 yards. He closed the half with two more touchdown tosses of 21 and two yards to build a 35-7 halftime advantage. Bushka added a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. It was the third five-touchdown day by a PFL quarterback this season.

Others Nominated

• Colin Howard, Drake (5th Yr., Wide Receiver, St. Petersburg, Fla.) had four receptions for 72 yards at Marist.
• Ryan Mann, Valparaiso (RSo., Running Back, Vernon Hills, Ill.) ran for 68 yards on 11 carries and added 34 yards on two receptions against Dayton.
• Brady Meitz, Stetson (RSo., Quarterback, Cumming, Ga.) completed 10-of-13 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns against Davidson.
• Mason Sheron, Davidson (So., Running Back, Leo, Ind.) ran for two touchdowns and 147 yards on 11 carries against Stetson.

Co-Defensive

Zamir Wallace, San Diego (Graduate, Cornerback, Fairfield, California)

With the game tied in the fourth quarter, Wallace recovered a fumble and scored a pick-six to help San Diego escape Presbyterian with a 23-13 PFL victory Saturday. After San Diego punter Ayden Corrales pinned Presbyterian on its one-yard line, Wallace forced and recovered a fumble on the drive’s fourth play, setting up the Toreros’ offense at the Blue Hose 26-yard line, which USD eventually converted into a field goal to take a 16-13 lead. Two drives later, Wallace picked off a Presbyterian pass and returned it 21 yards for a game-sealing touchdown. He also had three tackles (two solo) in the victory.  

Aiden McKinley, Dayton (Sophomore (RS), Linebacker, Louisville, Kentucky)

McKinley’s 5.5 tackles for loss in Dayton’s 21-7 loss to Valparaiso were the most by a PFL defender since October 2022. It was part of a 15-tackle (nine solo) day by the Flyers’ linebacker. McKinley also forced a fumble on one of his tackles for loss to deny a Valparaiso drive that started on the Dayton 18-yard line. In addition to his 5.5 tackles for loss, which were the most in the PFL since April 2021, he was involved in two tackles for no gain. It is tied for the third most tackles for loss in a game by an FCS defender this season.

Others Nominated

• George Dristiliaris, Butler (So., Defensive Lineman, Lowell, Mass.) credited with three tackles for loss, including two sacks, and forced a fumble as part of a six-tackle (four solo) outing at Morehead State.
• Finn Claypool, Drake (RSo., Defensive Lineman, Des Moines, Iowa) finished with 3.0 tackles for loss, a strip-sack, and a pass breakup as part of a seven-tackle (four solo) day as Drake held Marist to 32 rushing yards.
• Sam Hafner, Valparaiso (RJr., Defensive Lineman, Green Bay, Wis.) recorded eight tackles (three solo) and had 2.0 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks, as part of a defensive unit that held Dayton to 68 rushing yards.
• Brooks Russ-Martin, Presbyterian (Jr., Defensive Back, Travelers Rest, S.C.) had eight tackles (five solo) with 2.0 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble against San Diego,
• Daniel Carter, Davidson (Jr., Safety, Denver, N.C.) picked off two passes and had 11 tackles against Stetson.
• Jahleel Holmes, Morehead State (Sr., Linebacker, Moreno Valley, Calif.) notched 18 tackles (six solo) with 1.5 tackles for loss against Butler.
• Davion Maxwell, Stetson (RSr., Defensive Back, Boca Raton, Fla.) forced and recovered a fumble as part of a 12 tackle (seven solo) outing against Davidson.

Special Teams

Evan Matthes, Valparaiso (6th Year, Punter, Reston, Virginia)

Matthes kept Dayton bottled up with five punts downed inside the 20-yard line to help Valparaiso claim a 21-7 PFL victory Saturday. He averaged 41.7 yards on his seven punts and saw two punts downed inside the five-yard line. Matthes’ opening punt went 53 yards, and the return was fumbled at the 10-yard line to help set up Valparaiso's first touchdown. Dayton only had three yards on punt returns.  

Others Nominated

• Shane Dunning, Drake (Sr., Kicker/Punter, Muskego, Wis.) connected on a 53-yard field goal, his third 50-yard field goal of 2023, and a PAT and averaged 33 yards on his three punts at Marist.
• Mack Mikko, Presbyterian (Fr., Kicker, Newman, Ga.) hit a career-best 45-yard field goal as part of a seven-point day against San Diego, making two field goals and a PAT.
• Adam Zouagui, Davidson (Fr., Kicker, Reston, Va.) scored 13 points against Stetson, making a pair of field goals and seven PATs.