WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University sophomore running E'derian Sykes has been voted as the KCAC Offensive Player of the Week, while freshman defensive back Joshua Flash is the league's top defensive player this week, announced today (Oct. 21) by the conference office. All KCAC Player of the Week awards are sponsored by Equity Bank.

Sykes again set a career-high in rushing yards with 160 yards on the ground along with two touchdowns in the now No. 4-ranked Falcons' 56-32 Homecoming victory over the then No. 20-ranked McPherson College Bulldogs in a matchup of unbeatens in the KCAC Bissell Division opener Saturday (Oct. 18).

A native of Lake Village, Ark., Sykes' first touchdown came at a crucial time when he broke free for a 60-yard score to provide a big answer for the Falcons early in the second quarter after the Bulldogs had taken a 21-7 lead.

Sykes is now the Falcons' top rusher on the season with 659 yards and has scored five touchdowns.

On the defensive side, Flash changed the tone of the game in a flash by picking off a pass in the final seconds of the second quarter and running 44 yards before lateraling to Kasey Lehman for the final yard of a pivotal score that suddenly put the Falcons on top 28-24 heading into halftime. Flash then recovered a fumble with the Falcons on top 42-32 with 1:27 left in the third quarter while finishing tied for second on the team with five tackles.

The Falcons carried the momentum of Flash's crucial interception into the second half by outscoring the Bulldogs 28-8 in the victory after rallying from 21-7 down, the team's biggest deficit since 2023. Flash has 16 tackles on the season and now leads the Falcons with four interceptions.

Another showdown looms for the Falcons next Saturday (Oct. 25) when they face Southwestern College at 1 pm in Winfield, Kan.