MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State football accomplished many firsts in the 2021 season, a campaign that saw the Eagles finish 7-4, and this week the program accomplished another first - sweeping the Pioneer League's top two major postseason awards.

Senior wide receiver BJ Byrd is the league's Offensive Player of the Year, while senior edge rusher Vaughn Taylor, Jr., is the conference Defensive Player of the Year. It's the first time two MSU players have earned those awards in the same year and the first time 2017 PFL teammates are the league's best two on both sides of the ball.

Byrd is the second-ever overall Offensive Player of the Year in program history, joining QB Austin Gahafer from 2015. Taylor, Jr., is also the second Defensive Player of the Year overall in MSU history, joining Wes McDermott from 2009. Craig Unger was also the South Division Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004, while David Caudill was awarded divisional Offensive Player of the Year in 2003.

Byrd, of Richmond, Calif., ended the regular season as the FCS' top receiver. He led the subdivision with 1,313 receiving yards, 90 receptions, and 8.2 receptions per game in 2021. Byrd's yardage total, catches and his 13 touchdowns are all MSU single-season records. He also set the single-game record with four TDs against Stetson.

Byrd ranked second along all FCS players in touchdown receptions and receiving yards per game (119.4 ypg) during the season. He had an FCS-best eight 100-yard receiving performances in 11 games, including his 223-yard, four-touchdown day against Stetson. Byrd is one of 25 finalists for the Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award.

He also finished his two-year career ranked among the best receivers in program history. In just 18 games (seven spring games after transferring from Jacksonville), Byrd compiled 1,780 yards, 21 touchdowns, averaging 98.9 yards per game.

Taylor, from Washington, D.C., led all PFL defenders with 23 tackles for loss and his 2.09 tackles for loss per game, ranking second among all FCS athletes in 2021. He also finished the season with 10 sacks and was 14th in the PFL with 71 total tackles, ranking in the top 20 among FCS players in sacks per game.

He recorded a sack in eight of 11 games in 2021, including all five games in October, and had a tackle for loss in all 11 games. Taylor is one of 25 finalists for the Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award.

Taylor, Jr., became the Morehead State career record holder in tackles for loss during the year and wrapped up his career with 60 TFLs. He also had 190 career total tackles.