Pikeville, Ky. - The Mid-South Conference has just announced that University of Pikeville quarterback Xavier Malone has been named Offensive Player of the Week after his stellar performance last Saturday. 

Malone has appeared in five games this year but made his first career start at quarterback on Saturday. In his first career start, Malone was 17/25 for 417 yards, six touchdown passes and one interception against Campbellsville. Malone also ran the ball four times for 38 yards. 

Xavier's six touchdown passes also landed him in the UPIKE record books. Malone is now tied with Trevor Hoskins, who set the record in 2010 and 2011. 

After a slow first two possessions, Malone ignited the Bears offense when he connected with Derrick Griffith for an 81-yard score. Malone did an excellent job spreading the ball around as eight different Bears caught a pass and threw six touchdown passes to four different receivers. 

With today's announcement, Xavier Malone is the second UPIKE quarterback to be named Offensive Player of the Week in 2022. UPIKE has had a quarterback named player of the week after three of their seven games played so far this season. 

Malone's stellar first outing led UPIKE to a 66-41 victory over the Campbellsville Tigers. UPIKE is now 4-3 (3-2 MSC) and will hit the road Saturday to take on Thomas More at 1:30 P.M.

#BearNation