Budke Named MSFA Midwest Offensive Player of the Week

CHICAGO – Junior quarterback Carson Budke was named the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after tying the program record with five touchdown passes in Roosevelt's 42-7 win over Madonna last Saturday.

The Beaverton, Oregon native transferred to Roosevelt from Santa Rosa Junior College this offseason, and made his first start for the Lakers against the Crusaders. He completed 17 of 24 pass attempts for 232 yards and the five scores to help the Lakers rally from an early deficit to beat Madonna.

It is the first career player of the week honor for Budke, and the second straight week Roosevelt has had the MSFA Midwest Offensive Player of the Week.

"Carson has been an outstanding teammate and has prepared diligently since he arrived on campus," Roosevelt football coach Jared Williamson said. "I am happy to see his hard work equate to success on the field."

Budke knotted the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter with a 29-yard strike to Tyler Tenner then gave the Lakers the lead for good on the next drive with a 19-yard connection to Keonta Nixon. The junior threw three fourth-quarter scores to seal the deal to tie the record set by Kenyatte Allen in 2016. His first touchdown pass of the final 15 minutes was a 2-yard pass to Jerrell Calhoun then he followed up with 18-yard touchdowns to Troy White and Alex Tran.

The Lakers will stay on the road this weekend when they travel to No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan for a marquee showdown at 11 a.m. in Marian, Ind.

2023-24 MSFA Midwest League Players of the Week

Week 2 (Sept. 4): Sam Tumilty, St. Francis (Offense), Kwaku Appiah, St. Francis (Defense), Scott Tumilty, St. Francis (Special Teams)

Week 3 (Sept. 11): Tyler Tenner, Roosevelt (Offense), Joey Mahop, Roosevelt (Defense), Justin Pringle, Saint Xavier (Special Teams)

Week 4 (Sept. 18): Carson Budke, Roosevelt (Offense), Terry Elias, Saint Xavier (Defense), Evan Leake, Olivet Nazarene (Special Teams)