DALLAS – Following a Week Zero victory, WKU swept the first CUSA Player of the Week honors of the 2025 football season. The weekly awards are voted on by a panel of the league’s media.
Offensive Player of the Week – Maverick McIvor, WKU – Gr. – QB – San Angelo, Texas
McIvor led the WKU (1-0, 1-0 CUSA) offense in the 41-24 season-opening win over Sam Houston on Saturday. The quarterback accounted for four touchdowns in his Hilltopper debut. He threw for 401 yards and three touchdowns on 33-51 passing and added a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to help close out the Week Zero win. McIvor's touchdown passes were 26 yards to Matthew Henry, 9 yards to K.D. Hutchinson and 22 yards to Marvis Parrish. McIvor completed eight passes of 15+ yards and had six completions of 20+ yards in the win.
Defensive Player of the Week – Jaylen Lewis, WKU – R-Jr. – S – Brownsville, Tenn.
Lewis helped lead a solid defensive effort in WKU's season-opening 41-24 victory over Sam Houston on Saturday. The transfer safety posted four tackles in the game, including two solo stops. He also recorded an interception in the fourth quarter that helped the Hilltoppers close out the Week Zero conference win.
Special Teams Player of the Week – Cole Maynard, WKU – R-Sr. – P – Mooresville, N.C.
Maynard made a statement with a booming 71-yard punt in WKU's season-opening 41-24 win over Sam Houston on Saturday. The 71-yard boot was the first 70-plus yarder a Hilltopper punter has recorded since the 2012 season, and the kick was downed at the Sam Houston four-yard line. Maynard, who was included on the Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List prior to the season opener, finished the night with five punts totaling 250 yards – an average of 50 yards per punt – with two traveling 50-plus yards.
Freshman of the Week – Marvis Parrish, WKU – Fr. – RB – Valdosta, Ga.
Parrish had a strong showing in his college debut. The true freshman running back accounted for 110 all-purpose yards, finishing second on the team. After earning the start in his first game, Parrish led the team in rushing with 52 yards on 12 attempts and caught six passes for 58 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown was a 22-yard reception on a pass from Maverick McIvor that put the Hilltoppers ahead 34-24 with 4:47 to play in the third quarter.
Offensive Lineman of the Week – Laurence Seymore, WKU – R-Sr. – OL – Miami Gardens, Fla.
Seymore helped the Hilltopper offense rack up 506 yards of offense in the 41-24 victory over Sam Houston on Saturday. The starting left guard helped the Hilltoppers to 401 yards through the air with his 88.7 pass blocking grade, the third-highest of any guard in Week Zero. He was the highest graded Hilltopper offensive lineman over his 87 snaps in the win, according to PFF.
2025 Weekly Award Winners
Offensive Players of the Week
A25 Maverick McIvor, WKU
Defensive Players of the Week
A25 Jaylen Lewis, WKU
Special Teams Players of the Week
A25 Cole Maynard, WKU
Freshmen of the Week
A25 Marvis Parrish, WKU
Offensive Linemen of the Week
A25 Laurence Seymore, WKU