Eastern Kentucky University’s Jayden Marable and Ryder Hooks earned United Athletic Conference weekly honors after helping the Colonels defeat No. 23 West Florida, 16-13, on Saturday at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium.
Marable was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Hooks received Special Teams Player of the Week recognition as EKU secured its first ranked victory of the season in front of its Homecoming crowd.
Marable finished with five solo tackles, including a sack that produced one of the game’s biggest plays. With the score tied at 13 in the fourth quarter, the junior defensive lineman stripped West Florida quarterback Ty’Ray Davis to secure the victory for Eastern Kentucky and set up the game-winning field goal.
His performance also helped EKU limit West Florida to 225 total yards and just three second-half points. The Colonels forced two turnovers and held the Argonauts scoreless over the final quarter to preserve the win.
Hooks gave the Colonels an early boost in the return game, bringing back four punts for 82 yards, an average of 20.5 yards per return. The freshman returned the opening punt 15 yards to set up EKU’s touchdown drive, then added a 48-yard return to the West Florida 23-yard line later in the first quarter.
Hooks totaled 95 return yards, including a 13-yard kickoff return, and finished with 126 all-purpose yards after adding 21 rushing yards and a 10-yard reception.
Monday’s honors mark Hooks’ second conference weekly honor of the 2026 season after being named the league’s Freshman of the Week back on October 12 after EKU’s win over West Georgia.
Eastern Kentucky improved to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play with the victory. The Colonels return to action next Saturday on the road at No. 1 Tarleton State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
