Football Earns Two CUSA Weekly Honors
9/21/2026 12:05:00 PM | Football
DALLAS—Jax State had two of Conference USA's Players of the Week, released this afternoon by the league office after a 31-27 comeback win over Georgia Southern on Saturday.
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Caleb Nix was voted as the league's special teams player of the week and Tristan Lyles was named the freshman of the week.
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Nix returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown with 8:16 to go in the game to give Jax State their first and final lead of the game. It was his first career punt return touchdown and fourth career touchdown with none coming on offense. The Phenix City native was second on the team in tackles with six, with one behind the line of scrimmage and broke up two passes on defense.
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Lyles, also a Phenix City native, came up with a game-sealing interception at his own 15-yard line with 1:52 to play for his first career takeaway. Lyles made three total tackles, assisting on one for loss in his second career appearance.
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The Gamecocks are now 2-2 and will open Conference USA play on Saturday at home against Middle Tennessee at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
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Caleb Nix was voted as the league's special teams player of the week and Tristan Lyles was named the freshman of the week.
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Nix returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown with 8:16 to go in the game to give Jax State their first and final lead of the game. It was his first career punt return touchdown and fourth career touchdown with none coming on offense. The Phenix City native was second on the team in tackles with six, with one behind the line of scrimmage and broke up two passes on defense.
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Lyles, also a Phenix City native, came up with a game-sealing interception at his own 15-yard line with 1:52 to play for his first career takeaway. Lyles made three total tackles, assisting on one for loss in his second career appearance.
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The Gamecocks are now 2-2 and will open Conference USA play on Saturday at home against Middle Tennessee at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
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Players Mentioned
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