Kennesaw State junior defensive lineman Jaiden Grimes was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Nov. 9, after a disruptive afternoon in the Owls' 42-40 Homecoming win over Delaware at Fifth Third Stadium. It's the first CUSA weekly award of his career.
The Owls (3-6, 2-3 CUSA) are back on the road Saturday, Nov. 14, at Sam Houston in Huntsville, Texas, with a 2 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN+.
Photo courtesy of Kennesaw State Athletics.
Pressure all afternoon
Against the top passing team in the conference, Grimes finished with five quarterback hurries, a solo sack, a forced fumble and three tackles. He saved his best for last: the sack, the forced fumble and all five hurries came in the third and fourth quarters as Kennesaw State hung on in a back-and-forth finish.
According to Pro Football Focus, Grimes was credited with seven total QB pressures. That was the most in Conference USA for the week, tied for third among Group of Six players and tied for ninth nationally. The Marietta, Ga., native was picked by a panel of league media.
A defensive habit for KSU
The award is Kennesaw State's third CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honor this season. Linebacker Tywon Christopher won it twice (Oct. 12 and Nov. 2), and Davis Bryson added Special Teams Player of the Week last week. Relive the Delaware thriller in our Kennesaw State vs. Delaware recap.
Up next
Kennesaw State visits Sam Houston on Saturday before the home finale against FIU on Nov. 21. See the full 2026 Kennesaw State schedule, and gear up for the stretch run by browsing the latest fan gear. #OwlUp
Source: Kennesaw State Athletics / Conference USA. Read the full story on ksuowls.com.