Marcel Spears named Big 12 Defense Player of the Week

Sep 9, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Marcel Spears Jr. (42) tackles Iowa Hawkeyes running back Akrum Wadley (25) at Jack Trice Stadium. The Hawkeyes won 44-41 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State Athletics Communications.

IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 Conference announced today that Iowa State sophomore linebacker Marcel Spears was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.

A native of Olathe, Kan., Spears played a huge role in Iowa State’s third-straight win against Texas Tech on Saturday.

Spears, who had seven tackles in the game, sealed the victory with his fourth quarter, 61-yard interception return for a touchdown.

After Texas Tech had trimmed the lead to 24-13, Spears perfectly read a TTU screen pass and ran untouched for the pick-six to put the game out of reach.

It was Iowa State’s third interception return for a TD this season, tying for third nationally.

Spears is having an outstanding season, ranking fourth in the Big 12 and 44^th nationally in tackles per game at 8.7. He is also tied for the team lead in forced fumbles with two.

This is the third-straight week an ISU player has been honored by the league: Joel Lanning (Def. PoW- Oklahoma), Kyle Kempt (Off. PoW- Oklahoma) and Trever Ryen (ST PoW- Kansas).

No. 25 Iowa State, 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, will play host to No. 4 TCU on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Jared Stansbury

View articles by Jared Stansbury subscriber

Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

Follow @@JaredStansbury