Ya'j Vance Named NAIA Offensive Player of the Week
The Simpson quarterback earned the honor following his standout performance in a narrow victory over Southern Oregon.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you feel local collegiate sports teams positively impact your community?
Simpson University quarterback Ya'j Vance has been named the PrestoSports NAIA Offensive Player of the Week. This recognition follows his pivotal role in a dramatic 36-35 victory for the Red Hawks.
Why it matters
The win marked a historic milestone for the Simpson program as the team secured its first-ever conference victory. The result also represents the first time the program has defeated Southern Oregon.
Vance accumulated 346 passing yards and capped the comeback with a 13-yard rushing touchdown on the final play. His teammate Ivan Huerta contributed significantly with 159 receiving yards on five catches.
The players
Ya'j Vance
He is the starting quarterback for the Simpson University football team.
Ivan Huerta
He is a standout wide receiver for the Simpson University football team.
Simpson University
The institution is a private Christian university located in Redding, California.
Southern Oregon
This is a public university that competes in the NAIA athletic conference.
Carroll (Mont.)
This private college maintains an 11th-place national ranking in the NAIA.
The details
Vance led a late rally by engineering 13 unanswered points to overcome Southern Oregon in the 36-35 contest. He connected with Huerta for three touchdown passes, including one strike that covered 66 yards.
Timeline
Simpson defeated Southern Oregon on October 10, 2026.
Ya'j Vance was named Player of the Week on October 12, 2026.
Simpson hosts Carroll (Mont.) on October 17, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This historic win improves Simpson to a 1-1 conference record, significantly altering the team's standing within the league. The momentum from this victory will be tested as the team faces an 11th-ranked Carroll (Mont.) squad.
Following this performance, Vance sits with a 3-3 overall record for the season heading into the next matchup. The team's ability to execute under pressure is now reflected in their 1-1 conference standings.
The takeaway
Vance demonstrated exceptional composure by leading a two-touchdown comeback in the final minutes of the game. Future opponents must account for his ability to both pass and scramble for scores in critical situations.
What happens next
Simpson University will host Carroll (Mont.) on October 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. PT.
Further reading
For more updates on local athletics, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NAIA.
Live Poll
Do you feel local collegiate sports teams positively impact your community?
