University of Tulsa linebacker Chris Thompson Jr. picked up the American Conference Defensive Player of the Week award after leading the Golden Hurricane's 24-10 upset of Oklahoma State.

The league announced the honor Sept. 7, from its offices in Irving, Texas. Thompson is the first Tulsa player to earn the conference's weekly defensive award since Kendarin Ray received it on Sept. 25, 2023.

Thompson posted a game-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops, added a fumble recovery and recorded a quarterback hurry in the season opener Sept. 5.

Two fourth-down stops stood out.

On Oklahoma State's opening drive, Thompson and teammate Hudson Ball stuffed the Cowboys for no gain on fourth-and-one at the Tulsa 3-yard line. In the second quarter, Thompson recovered a fumble on fourth down at the Oklahoma State 33, ending another threat.

The Tulsa defense forced four turnovers overall, including two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Oklahoma State managed just two scores on four red-zone chances and converted only two of six fourth-down tries.

Defensive end Thomas Davis also anchored the effort. Davis recorded a sack, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss while accounting for four of the unit's 10 quarterback hits, according to the Associated Press game recap.

Running back Damari Alston drew conference recognition as well, earning honorable mention for Offensive Player of the Week. Alston rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in his Golden Hurricane debut.

Head coach Tre Lamb credited the home crowd after the win Saturday. "I think our crowd was the difference," Lamb told reporters. "I really think playing that game at home gave us a big advantage on defense."

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 over the Cowboys since 1998.

Tulsa travels to Huntsville, Texas, to face Sam Houston on Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. CT.