ASU’s Cross earns pair of Sun Belt awards

Arkansas State running back Ja’Quez Cross earned a pair of Sun Belt Conference player of the week honors, both offensive and special teams, for his performance in a 77-31 victory over Texas State, the conference announced Monday. He is the first player in Sun Belt history to earn both honors. New Mexico State cornerback Tony Lukins won defensive and special teams player of the week on Oct. 8, 2001, and is the only other player in conference history to take multiple weekly honors. Cross accounted for 320 all-purpose yards against Texas State, the most in a game between two league foes since 2017. He finished with 139 yards and 3 touchdowns on 13 carries and caught 2 passes for 15 yards. He also returned three kickoffs for 166 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown return at the end of the third quarter.