COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech safety Marty Jones has been named both the National Defensive Performer of the Week and the National Defensive Back of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA), while Ladarius Vanlier has been tabbed the National Punt Returner of the Week. In addition, Vanlier earned honorable mention as the All-Purpose Player of the Week and linebacker Jay Rudwall received honorable mention as Linebacker of the Week.

The harvest of CFPA awards comes following Tech's stunning 39-31 victory last Saturday night over previously unbeaten and 12th ranked Eastern Kentucky. The Golden Eagles trailed 31-10 early in the fourth quarter and outscored the Colonels, 29-0, over the final 14 minutes for the victory.

Jones led all players with 12 tackles and tied an OVC record with four interceptions in the contest. To top it off, the senior from Cincinnati also scored the game-winning points when he raced into the end zone for a two-point PAT when he mishandled the snap on a kick that would have tied the game. It was the third consecutive game in double figures for tackles, pushing his career total to 308 tackles.

Vanlier, a junior from Nashville, returned a punt 79 yards for Tech's first touchdown of the night, his second punt return to the end zone this season and third of his career. He went on to post 264 all-purpose yards including 140 rushing on 19 carries and 45 receiving yards on six catches. In all, he had 26 touches in the game and scored twice, including a 63-yard burst in the fourth quarter with Tech clinging to a one-point lead.

Rudwall's defensive performance was also noteworthy, but almost lost in the shadow of Jones' night. The junior linebacker from Ooltewah Tenn., had 11 tackles in the contest, one quarterback sack of seven yards, forced two fumbles and recovered on fumble.

The Golden Eagles head right back into deep water this week with a road game at FCS No. 7 Jacksonville State. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. in Burgess-Snow Field.