Jacksonville, Fla. — Following his game-changing performance in Edward Waters' thrilling 41-38 victory over No. 13 Virginia Union in the Inaugural Unity Classic, wide receiver and return specialist Kieren Jackson has been named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Special Teams Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.

Jackson, a Jacksonville native and Mandarin High School graduate, delivered the play of the night when he returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, sending Tiger Nation into a frenzy and giving EWU a late 38-31 lead in what would become a historic victory.

The explosive return marked Jackson's second kickoff return touchdown of the season, further cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous special teams' weapons in the SIAC.

"Kieren is electric with the ball in his hands," said EWU interim head coach Brian Jenkins. "He has the ability to flip the game at any moment, and his return on Saturday night was a perfect example of that. We're proud of him and excited to see him continue to make an impact."

Jackson's award marks the third consecutive week that an Edward Waters player has earned SIAC Player of the Week honors. He joins quarterback Noah Bodden (Newcomer of the Week – Week 1), cornerback David Law-Mortimer (Defensive Player of the Week – Week 1), and linebacker Trevon French (Defensive Player of the Week – Week 2) as Tiger standouts recognized this season.

This streak underscores the depth of talent across the roster and highlights the balance of contributions on offense, defense, and special teams during EWU's historic start.

Jackson's big play was pivotal in Edward Waters' upset win, which improved the Tigers to 3-0 for the first time since the 1964 championship season. The Unity Classic victory not only marked a milestone for the team but also showcased the impact of explosive playmakers across the board.

With two kickoff returns for touchdowns already this season, Jackson ranks among the top special teams' performers in all of NCAA Division II. His ability to shift momentum in an instant has made him a cornerstone of EWU's early success.
Jackson and the Tigers will look to build on their historic start when they hit the road next week for a showdown with Bethune-Cookman University. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on HBCU GO.

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