ST. LOUIS -- South Dakota State University linebacker Ross Shafrath has been named Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week after helping lead the Jackrabbits to their fourth consecutive victory.

A senior from Hampton, Iowa, Shafrath recorded a team-high 12 tackles and intercepted a pair of passes as South Dakota State defeated Missouri State, 17-7, on Sept. 29. Named the Outstanding Player of the 46th Annual Beef Bowl, Shafrath also broke up a pass. His two interceptions were half of the four Jackrabbit picks on the day.

Shafrath has led the Jackrabbits in tackles all five games this season en route to a team-best 57 stops. He has tallied double figures in tackles four times this season and six of the team's last eight games dating back to 2011.

The nationally ranked Jackrabbits, 4-1 overall and 2-0 in league play, resume play Oct. 13 by hosting Western Illinois.