UTRGV defensive back TJ Neal was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week after his stellar performance against Southeastern Louisiana.

Neal led arguably the best defensive effort in program history for UTRGV, holding Southeastern to just three points. It's the fewest points allowed by UTRGV to a Division I opponent in program history and it was the Lions lowest scoring output in a conference game since 2018.

The senior defensive back finished with 10 tackles and two interceptions in the victory.

"Some of those tackles he came up and made from the secondary. When those running backs broke through the line. He really saved some explosive plays too," Vaqueros head coach Travis Bush said on the UTRGV Coach's Show on Sunday. "Those are kind of those hidden stats as well, but just a great leader for us and coming back from last week, our leadership stepped up. They demanded a lot of things in practice. They exhibit it every day and he was one of them and it truly showed with his performance last night."

This is the second time a Vaquero has taken home the award this season after Jaiden Haygood took home the honor following UTRGV's win against McNeese.