Keith, Brown Receive MAC Honors

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University enior linebacker Red Keith of Franklin (Ga.) Heard County High School and freshman wide receiver Antonio Brown of Miami (Fla.) Norland High School have been named Mid-American Conference West Division Players of the Week.

Red Keith earns the defensive player of the week nod, while Antonio Brown is the special teams player of the week. This is the first time either player has earned a conference player of the week honor.

Keith collected 10 tackles, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass in the Chippewas’ 35-10 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday. It was the fourth straight game, and 18th time in his career, he has recorded at least 10 tackles. He forced a fumble on a third-and-goal play from the CMU 1-yard line that set up a 99-yard CMU touchdown drive. Keith’s sixth career interception came on the first play of the fourth quarter.

After Northern Illinois had scored to pull within 14-7 in the first quarter, Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. It was his first kickoff return for a score. Brown also was CMU’s leading receiver for the third time in the last four games, catching seven passes for 74 yards.

Brown ranks 13th nationally in all-purpose yardage (183.0 ypg) and 15th in kickoff return yardage (30.2 ypr).

Central Michigan (2-3 overall, 2-0 MAC, 2-0 MAC West Division) visits Ball State at noon Saturday. The game will air on ESPN Regional and ESPN GamePlan.