Shilts Named MSFA Special Teams Player of the Week
UPLAND, Ind. – Lucas Shilts was recognized for his work in Taylor's 37-34 season-opening win over Saint Ambrose, being named the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Special Teams Player of the Week.
The sophomore placekicker picked up 13 points in the trilling win, connecting from 40, 26 and 22 yards for his three field goals and also going four-of-four in point-after tries.
Shilts opened the scoring with a 40-yard field goal to give Taylor a 3-0 lead midway through the opening quarter and later pushed Taylor's lead to 13-7 early into the second. The Marion, Indiana native then again put TU on top with a 26-yard kick in the final minute of the third quarter, before adding two of his four point-after tries in the final stanza.
The 13-point effort put Shilts at No. 12 in the NAIA in scoring on the young season and tops among kickers, while his three made field goals were also the most in the nation after the first week of action.
The MSFA weekly honor is the first for Shilts in his young career and also marks the first weekly league award for any Taylor student-athlete during the 2023-2024 year.
Shilts and the Trojans (1-0) will open MSFA play on Saturday, September 2, with a 1:00 pm start at RV Concordia (0-0).