STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State Football has continued to be the talk of the nation after its impressive start to the season. On Monday, the Texans were named No. 3 in both of the major rankings, and now the United Athletic Conference has honored another Texan individually following Tarleton State's big win at Central Arkansas this past Saturday.
 
On Monday, linebacker Yasir Holmes was named the UAC Defensive Player of the Week, his first career honor in his first season at Tarleton State.
 
Holmes recorded a team-high three tackles for loss, a sack and a team-high seven total tackles in Tarleton State's 56-10 road win in its conference opener at Central Arkansas. Holmes is the first Texan with three tackles for loss in a game since Blaine Hoover had 3.0 TFL on Nov. 19, 2022, against Houston Christian.
 
Holmes and the entire Texan defense were strong once again on Saturday, forcing two takeaways, recording six sacks and 11 negative plays for the Bears. Tarleton State has now allowed just a single touchdown in three games against fellow FCS competition, allowing 4.3 points per game. Tarleton State is one of two teams across all of college football to start 4-0 this season thus far (Iowa State), and has outscored other FCS programs 157-13.
 
Holmes' award is the fourth UAC Player of the Week honor a Texan individual has earned this season. Defensive back Kasyus Kurns, kicker Brad Larson and running back Tre Page III were named the UAC Defensive, Special Teams and Freshman players of the week, respectively, following Weeks 0/1.
 
Other UAC awards announced on Monday were West Georgia's Latrelle Murrell as Offensive Player of the Week, North Alabama's Ian Vachon as Special Teams Player of the Week, and Southern Utah's Ran Sawyer as Freshman of the Week.
 
2025 Tarleton State FB UAC Player of the Week Awards:
Week 0/1, Defensive, Special Teams and Freshman – Kasyus Kurns, Brad Larson, Tre Page III
Week 3, Defensive – Yasir Holmes