FARMINGTON, Utah (September 14, 2026) – Leading the way for Northern Arizona football's defensive performance in last Saturday's 38-28 victory over UIW,
Deliyon Freeman was named Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Freeman, coming off a career-best game, was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week along with Colter Petre of Montana State. Montana's Eli Gillman and Everett O'Donnell were named the Big Sky's Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively.
In a game full of defensive standouts, Freeman rose to the top. He set a career-high with 13 tackles, including seven solo tackles, and was involved in two of NAU's six turnovers in the Family Weekend victory against UIW. Freeman also had one tackle behind the line of scrimmage and one pass breakup.
Freeman forced a fumble in the second quarter, punching the ball out of Damashja Harris' hands from behind. One drive later, Freeman intercepted Emmett Brown, setting up the Lumberjacks right outside the red zone with under a minute left until halftime.
Freeman's first career interception was a key one as it immediately followed an NAU fumble of its own deep in the red zone. The interception led to
Myseth Currie's 13-yard touchdown reception from
Ty Pennington, which sent the 'Jacks into the locker room with a 24-7 advantage.
Freeman's play was part of a defensive performance that notched six takeaways in a game for the first time since 2007. NAU is tied for first in the FCS with 11 takeaways on the season.
For Freeman, the Big Sky Player of the Week honor is his first of his career. The Hawai'i transfer is tied for second on the team with 24 tackles and has started all three games at nickelback.
The Lumberjacks, ranked No. 20 in this week's Stats FCS Top 25 and No. 19 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, travel to St. George, Utah for their final non-conference game of the season on Saturday at Utah Tech.
Stay up to date with Northern Arizona football by following the Lumberjacks on
X and
Instagram.
