Pikeville, Ky. – The Mid-South Conference has announced that University of Pikeville quarterback Lee Kirkland was named Offensive Player of the Week. Kirkland is the first UPIKE quarterback since Sani Warren in 2017 to win this great recognition. 

After becoming the first UPIKE quarterback since A.J. Graham in 2013 to throw for over 2,000 yards in a single season in 2021, Kirkland got off to a red-hot start to 2022. Kirkland was 26/33, had a 78.8 completion percentage, threw for 390 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the Bears 54-33 win over KCU Saturday night. 

Kirkland's 390-yard performance marks the third time that the junior from Bluffton, S.C. has passed for over 300 yards. He was just one yard shy his personal best, which currently sits at 391. 

Kirkland's four-touchdown night marks the third time in his career he has thrown for four or more scores in a single game. One of his four touchdown passes cracked the UPIKE football record book. Late in the fourth quarter, Kirkland hit sophomore receiver Diego Soto down the sideline for a 98-yard score, the second-longest touchdown pass in UPIKE football history. 




The Bears are 1-0 following Saturday's win and will hit the field against the Cumberland (Tenn.) Phoenix this Saturday at 3 p.m. at Hambley Athletic Complex. 

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