BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Minnesota State senior defensive back Jamal Spiyee was named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.  This is Spiyee's first weekly honor of the season and the third of the season for the Mavericks.
 
Spiyee, a native of Fargo, N.D., had six solo tackles in a 44-9 victory at Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday afternoon.  Spiyee registered his fourth interception of the season and helped the Mavericks claim at least a share of the program's 12^th NSIC South Division title with the win.  His interception versus the Mustangs he returned 21 yards and is now tied for the NSIC lead in interceptions this season, while setting a program record with 176 interception yards for the season.  He leads the league in interception return average and has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season.
 
He joins junior kicker Connor Fournier (Sept. 14) and senior defensive lineman Jack Hawkinson (Oct. 5) as Mavericks who have earned weekly honors this season.
 
The No. 4-ranked Mavericks host No. 22 Augustana on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium for Senior Day for MSU in a key matchup with conference title and NCAA postseason implications on the line.