Senior CB Dexter McDonald named Big 12 defensive player of the week

By Matt Tait Sep 8, 2014

Kansas University senior cornerback Dexter McDonald earned Big 12 defensive player of the week honors, the conference announced Monday morning.

McDonald, who led the Kansas defense with two interceptions and two pass break-ups in last Saturday’s 34-28 victory over Southeast Missouri State, became the first Kansas player to record two interceptions in a game since current KU safety Isaiah Johnson did it in a loss at Texas last season.

McDonald, a Kansas City, Mo., native, finished last season eighth in the Big 12 with 12 PBUs and is off to a blazing start this year. In addition to the two INTs, McDonald added a career best 72 return yards, including picking off one pass in the end zone and returning it 62 yards to the SEMO 38 yard line.

McDonald also added two tackles. His two interceptions, along with one from true freshman Matthew Boateng, represented the most KU interceptions in a game since the 2012 team recorded four against South Dakota in the season opener.

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45100Senior CB Dexter McDonald named Big 12 defensive player of the week

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.