The Valparaiso University football program has announced its team awards for the second week of the 2022 season after a narrow 28-21 setback to Illinois State, a full-scholarship FCS program that entered the week receiving votes nationally.

Sophomore running back Barret Labus (Wadsworth, Ohio / Wadsworth) has earned the team’s Offensive Player of the Week nod, redshirt senior linebacker Ben Hines (Snohomish, Wash. / Archbishop Murphy [Washington]) was tabbed the squad’s Defensive Player of the Week and redshirt senior punter Evan Matthes (Reston, Va. / South Lakes [West Virginia]) rounded out the trio of honorees as the Special Teams Player of the Week.

In addition, the program recognized the following Scout Team Players of the Week – freshman wide receiver EJ Locke (Oak Park, Ill. / Oak Park and River Forest) on offense, freshman defensive lineman Niko Paic (Crown Point, Ind. / Crown Point) on defense and redshirt freshman linebacker Hayden Bedell (Orland Park, Ill. / Carl Sandburg) on special teams.

Labus had three receptions for a team-high 48 yards including a 23-yard grab. He also rushed for 14 yards on three carries. Hines boasted 15 tackles, the second-highest total by a Valpo player during the Landon Fox Era and highest since Jamari Booker’s 21-tackle effort in 2019. Matthes continued a strong start to his Valpo career by averaging 39.1 yards per punt on seven attempts including a long of 43 and three boots that pinned the Redbirds inside the 20.

The Beacons will be back in action on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT at Dartmouth on ESPN+.