IRVING, Texas — UTSA senior Shad Banks Jr. has been named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in the win over East Carolina last Saturday, the league office announced Monday.
Banks posted 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception return for a touchdown, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup to help the Roadrunners cruise past the Pirates, 58-24. The inside linebacker logged his second double-digit tackles outing of the season and also tallied two takeaways in a game for the second time this fall. His PBU came on a fourth-down pass attempt at the end of the first quarter and his fumble recovery in the second quarter helped stake the Roadrunners to a 28-0 lead, while his 21-yard interception return in the fourth quarter handed UTSA a 58-18 advantage.
The North Shore High School product became the first Roadrunner to record a pick six and fumble recovery in the same game, while his third fumble recovery of the year placed him in a tie atop UTSA's single-season list. Banks, who also was chosen to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week on Sunday, paces the Roadrunners with 76 total tackles, 45 solo stops, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 2025.
Banks is the second UTSA player to receive the league’s player of the week honor this season, joining Owen McCown, who collected the offensive award on Nov. 3. McCown also was selected as an honorable mention player of the week today.
The Roadrunners will host Army (5-5, 3-4) for Senior Day and the annual Salute to Armed Forces game on Saturday, Nov. 29. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Alamodome. Fans can purchase tickets online or by calling the UTSA Ticket Office at 210-458-UTSA (8872) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
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