With a 25-yard interception return touchdown and three total passes defended in last week’s overtime victory at Texas Tech, Kansas State junior defensive back Duke Shelley picked up Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors, the conference office announced Monday. That’s according to a release from K-State Athletics.
The citation was the first in Shelley’s career and the fifth by a Wildcat this year, including the second of the defensive variety as Kendall Adams was honored following the Charlotte game. The Wildcats now have 48 player-of-the-week honors since 2011, the second most in the Big 12.
A product of Tucker, Georgia, Shelley picked off a third-quarter pass and returned it for a score, which was vital in helping the Wildcats earn a 42-35 overtime victory in Lubbock. It was the first road overtime victory in school history, while he helped the Wildcats secure their largest fourth-quarter comeback win under head coach Bill Snyder.
Shelley, who also had four tackles and two pass breakups, earned the second pick-six of his career (2016 vs. Oklahoma State) and recorded K-State’s nation-leading 111th non-offensive touchdown since 1999. He took over the Big 12 lead in passes defended with 11, while he ranks 14th nationally in the category thanks to five over the last two games alone.
