Johnathan Bailey Named Heart Big Game Defensive Player of the Week

Marshall, Mo., (Sept. 11, 2023)- Missouri Valley College football Senior Defensive Back Johnathan Bailey (North Las Vegas, Nev.) has been named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Big Game Football Defensive Player of the Week for his effort in Saturday's win over William Penn (Iowa).

Bailey led a Viking defense that forced six turnovers in a 33-28 win over the Statesmen. Bailey finished the game with three tackles, two interceptions and two pass break-ups. His first interception came midway through the third quarter to stop a potential scoring drive for William Penn. The second interception was in the final moments of the contest, as he picked off a pass to seal the victory. Bailey also added 37 yards in punt returns.

This is the first-career weekly Heart award for Bailey, and he becomes the first Viking defensive player to earn the award since Dedric Allen on Oct. 16, 2017.

The win moved Missouri Valley to 2-0 on the season. Saturday, the Vikings will travel to Lamoni, Iowa, to play No. 18 Graceland (Iowa). Kickoff is 6 p.m.

ABOUT MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.