Marshall University senior wide receiver and kick returner Deanadre Reaves was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Marshall’s 52-0 victory over Florida International University Saturday afternoon.

Reaves’ impact play came toward the end of the first quarter when he split through multiple members of the FIU punt coverage unit as he sprinted up the middle of the field for a 69-yard touchdown to put the Herd up 21-0.

Although Reaves received the award as an individual, he said his touchdown return was possible because of the contributions from his teammates.

“(My teammates) blocked a heck of a scheme,” Reaves said. “They did it as we practiced all week, and I told them ‘If you guys block it like this Saturday, I promise you something special will happen.’ The credit goes to them. I did the easy part by running and making a couple people miss.”

Reaves finished the game with two punt returns for 82 yards and also caught five passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.

As a returner this season Reaves has 16 kickoff returns for 449 yards and a touchdown with an average of 28.1 yards per return. Reaves has also returned 13 punts for 178 yards and a touchdown with a 13.7-yard average return, which ranks first in the conference and eighth nationally.

Reaves has also expanded his role as a receiver this season after taking over duties in the slot. Reaves ranks second on the Herd in both catches and yards with 45 and 572, respectively, while his four receiving touchdowns is good for third on the team.