Photo by: Brett Rojo
Thompson Jr. Named American Conference Defensive Player of the Week
9/7/2026 10:02:00 AM | Football
IRVING, Texas — The University of Tulsa linebacker Chris Thompson Jr. was named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Thompson led Tulsa with a game-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops, while adding one fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry in the Golden Hurricane's 24-10 season-opening victory over Oklahoma State.
The linebacker played a role in two critical fourth-down stops. On Oklahoma State's opening possession, Thompson combined with Hudson Ball to stop the Cowboys for no gain on fourth-and-one at the Tulsa 3-yard line. He later recovered a fourth-down fumble at the Oklahoma State 33-yard line during the second quarter.
Thompson also recorded a quarterback hurry during an Oklahoma State red-zone possession in the fourth quarter as the Golden Hurricane kept the Cowboys off the scoreboard over the final 15 minutes.
The Tulsa defense forced four turnovers with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The Golden Hurricane also limited Oklahoma State to two scores on four red-zone opportunities and two conversions on six fourth-down attempts.
Thompson is the first Tulsa player to earn the conference's Defensive Player of the Week award since Kendarin Ray received the honor on Sept. 25, 2023.
Tulsa running back Damari Alston was also recognized by the American Conference as an honorable mention selection for Offensive Player of the Week. In his Golden Hurricane debut, Alston rushed for a team-high 73 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
The victory gave Tulsa consecutive wins over Oklahoma State for the first time since the 1951 and 1952 seasons. It also marked the Golden Hurricane's first home win against the Cowboys since 1998.
Tulsa travels to Huntsville, Texas, to face Sam Houston on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. CT.
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the football program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'TulsaFootball' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Thompson led Tulsa with a game-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops, while adding one fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry in the Golden Hurricane's 24-10 season-opening victory over Oklahoma State.
The linebacker played a role in two critical fourth-down stops. On Oklahoma State's opening possession, Thompson combined with Hudson Ball to stop the Cowboys for no gain on fourth-and-one at the Tulsa 3-yard line. He later recovered a fourth-down fumble at the Oklahoma State 33-yard line during the second quarter.
Thompson also recorded a quarterback hurry during an Oklahoma State red-zone possession in the fourth quarter as the Golden Hurricane kept the Cowboys off the scoreboard over the final 15 minutes.
The Tulsa defense forced four turnovers with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The Golden Hurricane also limited Oklahoma State to two scores on four red-zone opportunities and two conversions on six fourth-down attempts.
Thompson is the first Tulsa player to earn the conference's Defensive Player of the Week award since Kendarin Ray received the honor on Sept. 25, 2023.
Tulsa running back Damari Alston was also recognized by the American Conference as an honorable mention selection for Offensive Player of the Week. In his Golden Hurricane debut, Alston rushed for a team-high 73 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
The victory gave Tulsa consecutive wins over Oklahoma State for the first time since the 1951 and 1952 seasons. It also marked the Golden Hurricane's first home win against the Cowboys since 1998.
Tulsa travels to Huntsville, Texas, to face Sam Houston on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. CT.
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the football program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'TulsaFootball' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, September 19
Wednesday, September 16
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14