Even in a heartbreaking loss, the NIU football team found something to smile about.

Tailback Michael Turner was named MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance in the Huskies’ 44-34 loss to Kent State Saturday.

The sophomore tailback returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, and finished the game with 173 all-purpose yards on 11 plays. Turner returned two kickoff returns for 135 yards, including the first one of his career for the 85-yard touchdown.

The touchdown was the longest for NIU since tailback William Andrews took one for 95 yards against Buffalo on Oct. 2, 1999.

“That was a great individual play,” coach Joe Novak said. “Michael is just so explosive. He had a great game.”

The award gives the Huskies their fifth player of the week this season.

Placekicker Steve Azar was named MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week and linebacker Larry Williams was named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week after the Huskies’ 20-17 win over South Florida.

Safety Lionel Hickenbottom was named Defensive Player of the Week after NIU’s 17-12 loss to Illinois, and cornerback Vince Thompson was named Defensive Player of the Week after the Huskies’ 41-16 win over Sam Houston State.