ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Indiana State linebacker
Alex Rose (Defensive), running back
Aaron Ball (Newcomer), and offensive lineman
Andy Hertlein (Offensive Lineman) were named among this week's Missouri Valley Football Players of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.
Rose earns his first MVFC Defensive Player of the Week nod, while Ball receives his first Newcomer selection after the duo led the way in Indiana State's 39-16 win over Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon. Hertlein adds his first MVFC weekly recognition as the Sycamores received their second Valley Offensive Lineman of the Week nod in as many weeks.
Rose led a defense that set an Indiana State mark for fewest rushing yards allowed in a single game (according to records on hand) by holding Valparaiso to negative-seven yards on the ground in Saturday's 39-16 win over the Beacons. The redshirt junior linebacker led the way with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1.5 TFLs as the 2026 captain was consistently around the ball all afternoon.
Rose's highlight play of the day came early in the third quarter as the Sycamores and Beacons retook the field following an 82-minute lightning delay. On Valpo's first possession of the third quarter, Rose broke through for a seven-yard sack on 3rd-and-6 to force a 3-and-out and a Beacon punt. On the ensuing offensive possession,
Aaron Ball broke free for a 58-yard touchdown run to stake the Sycamores to a 29-3 lead as Indiana State ran out the clock in the win.
Rose added a half-sack on the next drive to highlight a defensive effort that featured Indiana State posting season-highs with 5.0 sacks and 11.0 TFLs against the Beacons.
Ball took over the game following an injury to starting quarterback
Elijah Owens and powered his way to a career-high 182 yards on 11 carries in Indiana State's 39-16 win over Valparaiso. Ball recorded a 59-yard touchdown run with 3:56 remaining in the second quarter to extend Indiana State's lead over the Beacons, 22-3.
Following an 82-minute lightning delay after the start of the third quarter, Ball broke loose with a 58-yard touchdown run following a Valparaiso punt to stretch the advantage to 29-3 to cap a 26-0 run. He added two receptions for eight yards in his second consecutive multi-touchdown game.
Ball's 182-yard rushing effort marked a season and career-best by the Sycamore running back and was the most by an Indiana State running back since
Nick Osho ran for 211 yards and a pair of scores last season at Southern Illinois (Oct. 4, 2025).
Hertlein graded out as Indiana State's top offensive lineman in the Sycamores' 39-16 win over Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon. The redshirt freshman started at right guard in the contest and helped Indiana State record a season-high 313 rushing yards and a season-high 568 total offensive yards in the win.
The 500-plus yard offensive output marked the second consecutive game the Sycamores had recorded at least 500 yards of total offense, the first time the team had accomplished the feat since 2010.
Indiana State 2026 MVFC Players of the Week
Up Next
Indiana State continues its homestand on Saturday, September 26, as the Sycamores open Missouri Valley Football play against North Dakota at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff between Indiana State and the Fighting Hawks is set for 1 p.m. ET and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
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