KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Southern football's David Bethune was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Special Teams Athlete of the Week, the league announced Monday.
 
The redshirt senior from Jefferson City, Missouri, delivered one of the biggest special teams plays of the week, returning a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown to spark the Lions to a 23-13 victory over rival Pittsburg State in the annual Miners' Bowl.
 
With Pittsburg State taking a 13-9 lead with 13:02 remaining in the fourth quarter, Bethune answered on the ensuing kickoff just 17 seconds later. He fielded the kickoff and raced 91 yards for a touchdown, giving Missouri Southern a 16-13 lead and completely shifting the momentum in the Lions' favor.
 
The return was particularly impactful because it came immediately after Pittsburg State had taken its first lead of the second half. Bethune's touchdown return put Missouri Southern back in front and ignited a fourth-quarter surge in which the Lions scored 14 unanswered points to secure the victory.
 
The 91-yard return was Bethune's second kickoff return for a touchdown of the 2026 season and his second in the past four games.
 
Bethune's return proved to be the pivotal play in Missouri Southern's rivalry victory, as the Lions went on to add another touchdown and defeat Pittsburg State 23-13.

 
MIAA Football Athlete of the Week Award Winners:
OFFENSIVE AOTW: Logan Madden, Washburn
CO-DEFENSIVE AOTW: Brian Dykstra, Central Missouri and JC Heim, Washburn
CO-SPECIAL TEAMS AOTW: David Bethune, Missouri Southern and Davis Barr, Northwest Missouri


NEXT: Missouri Southern returns to Fred G. Hughes Stadium Saturday, Nov. 7, to host Central Oklahoma for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., with a pregame Senior Day ceremony recognizing 18 Lion seniors.
 
Winter Sports Lion Pride Luncheon: Missouri Southern hosts its Winter Sports Lion Pride Luncheon Friday at noon in the Ron Richard Athletic Center. The luncheon will feature Missouri Southern's men's and women's basketball teams, indoor track and field teams, and spirit squads. Lunch will be catered by Taste of Italy. Registration is available online.

 
Fall Missouri Southern Tickets are currently on sale online. Fans can also purchase an MIAA Network subscription to support Missouri Southern Athletics and catch all the Lions action this 2026-27 season.