2022 Football Players of the Week

2022 Football Players of the Week

Players of the week are evaluated on their performance during the week prior to the announcement. Each player is selected from a pool of conference and independent institutions award winners.


Quick Find: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11

 

Week 11 (November 14, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Jonathan White, McPherson (Kan.)

  Jonathan White of McPherson ran wild in the season finale against KCAC foe Sterling (Kan.) to the tune of 315 yards on 38 carries. The workhorse back found the end zone four times, highlighted by a game long scramble of 55 yards.

Nominees: 

Jack Prka, Carroll (Mont.); Devyn Collins, Reinhardt (Ga.); Garrett Kettle, Benedictine (Kan.); Avery Thorsgard, Valley City State (N.D.); Zach Bundalo, Marian (Ind.); Ryan Cole, Morningside (Iowa); Blaine Espinosa, Thomas More (Ky.); Andrew Lege, Ave Maria (Fla.); Brandon Mackey, Judson (Ill.)

 

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Brandon Fields, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)

Brandon had a career day for the Blue Raiders and was instrumental in the 23-17 win over No. 16 Georgetown. He managed five tackles, 2.5 sacks for 22 yards, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles. He added a fumble recovery which he returned nine yards for a scoop and score, securing the win for LWC with just 31 seconds to play in a tie game.

Nominees: 

Colby Kohmescher, Concordia (Mich.);Ryan Cunningham, Southeastern (Fla.); Llyodarius Garner, Avila (Mo.); Riley Gerhardt, Valley City State (N.D.); Noah Van't Hof, Northwestern (Iowa); Rex Irby, Carroll (Mont.); Athanie Leeviraphan, Evangel (Mo.); Vaisen Viloria, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Nathan Heilig, Tabor (Kan.)

  Nathan Heilig, the Bluejays kicker, converted three fields goals and an extra point in the teams narrow 21-16 loss to Saint Mary (Kan.). With 10 points, he led Tabor in scoring. 

Nominees:

Roman Newkirk, Ave Maria (Fla.); Ethan Collins, Indiana Wesleyan; Braeden Lacombe, Mayville State (N.D.); Devin Adams, Peru State (Neb.); Wyatt Brusven, Rocky Mountain (Mont.); Chase Carter, Morningside (Iowa); Odaine Reid, Missouri Baptist; Ian Sauter, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)


Week 10 (November 7, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Dederrian Williams, Indiana Wesleyan

  Dederrian Williams carried the ball 29 times for 211 yards and 6 touchdowns to lead the Wildcat offense to 61 points against Taylor (Ind.). Williams set school records for both single-game rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He also averaged 7.6 yards per carry in the 61-20 victory.

Nominees: 

Ryan Cole, Morningside (Iowa), Blake Atkins, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), Joaquin Collazo III, Bethel (Tenn.), Malik Nesbitt, Avila (Mo.), Braden Zuroff, Dickinson State (N.D.), Reese Neville, Montana Western, Tyler Duncan, Arizona Christian, Rontavious Farmer, St. Thomas (Fla.), Evan Leake, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), and JaQuan Ebron, Bluefield (Va.).

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Rashard Farmer, St. Thomas (Fla.)

Rashard Farmer stole the spotlight on Senior Day this past Saturday with his first career start as a Bobcat. Farmer had three interceptions with the first coming on Webber International's opening drive. Farmer added to his resume with two on-side kick recoveries on the day. The first on-side kick recovery was to start the second quarter and led to a quick touchdown. The second on-side kick recovery led to a touchdown as well that sealed the game at 59-20. Farmer also added four tackles on the day.

Nominees: 

Ben Egli, Northwestern (Iowa), Tristen Quillen, Baker (Kan.), Kumi Sarpong Jr., Cumberlands (Ky.), Wyatt Leppke, Tabor (Kan.), Krew Mathern, Dickinson State (N.D.), Garrett Worden, Carroll (Mont.), Riley Tucker, Arizona Christian, Logan Blake, Marian Ind.), Michael Johnson, St. Francis (Ill.), and Sam Kirtley, Bluefield (Va.)

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Joey Dales, Bluefield (Va.)

  Dales kicked a school-record 52-yard field goal and was 2-for-2 on field goals. He was 6-for-6 on extra points and averaged 47.5 yards per punt. Dales also caught a touchdown pass for the Rams in a 50-12 win over St. Andrews (N.C.).

Nominees:

Michael Payne, Morningside (Iowa), Cullen Bruner, Benedictine (Kan.), Ian Sauter, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), Gary Elder, Avila (Mo.), Wade James, Dickinson State (N.D.), John Mears, Montana Western, Jaysen Price, Texas Wesleyan, Logan Gregory, Southeastern (Fla.), Seeger DeGayner, Concordia (Mich.), and Brian Maday, St. Francis (Ill.).


Week 9 (October 31, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Marques Burgess, Keiser (Fla.)

  For the second straight game, Marques Burgess powered the Seahawks to a conference victory as Keiser defeated Ave Maria (Fla.), 27-21. Burgess registered a career-high 234 yards rushing on 36 carries with two touchdowns. It was Burgess' fourth 100-yard game of the season. His 234 yards were the second-most by a running back in program history and increased the Seahawk back's career rushing total to 4,759 yards. On Saturday, he surpassed Kevin Smith (UCF - 4,679) for the most career rushing yards by a running back from a collegiate team from the state of Florida. Currently second in the nation in rushing yards, Burgess has rushed for over 1,000 yards in two straight seasons with 1,104 yards this year. His two touchdowns increased his season total to 11 (No. 8 in the nation). 

Nominees: 

Kade McDaniel, Dordt (Iowa), Jase Orndorff, Culver-Stockton (Mo.), Zach Dressler, Friends (Kan.), Noah Sickler, Dickinson State (N.D.), Isaiah Cobb, Georgetown (Ky.), Hunter Arters, Reinhardt (Ga.), Chris Akulschin, Carroll (Mont.), Brandon Stewart, Concordia (Mich.), Keenan Hailey, St. Francis (Ill.), and Earnest Ceasar, Texas Wesleyan.

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Sam Motzkus, Presentation (S.D.)

On Senior day and in a shutout win over Mayville State (N.D.), Motzkus came up big with 17 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss. With a stretch between the third and fourth quarter, he had three straight sacks.

Nominees: 

Gunner Todorovich, Midland (Neb.), Bradley Myers, Evangel (Mo.), Wyatt Leppke, Tabor (Kan.), Marquese Taylor, Bethel (Tenn.), Jaelin Willis, Keiser (Fla.), Quan Neal, Point (Ga.), Jacob Arms, College of Idaho, Isaac Abeo, Indiana Wesleyan, Joe King, Missouri Baptist, and Maurice Powell, Arizona Christian.

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Demetrice Gilbert, Bethel (Tenn.)

  After Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) scored and took a 10-7 lead in the third quarter, Gilbert returned the ensuing kick-off 96 yards for a touchdown. Bethel never trailed again and went on to win 21-16. Gilbert finished the day with three kick returns for 129 yards.Ky.)

Nominees:

Ryan Conner, Evangel (Mo.), Martez Jones II, Southwestern (Kan.), Noah Karwacki, Dakota State (S.D.), Ryan Lowry, Montana Tech, Giovanni Martinez, Point (Ga.), Ashton Garner, Southeastern (Fla.), Ethan Collins, Indiana Wesleyan, Justin Pringle, Saint Xavier (Ill.), and Jaysen Price, Texas Wesleyan.


 

Week 8 (October 24, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Jon Jund, Montana Western

  Jon Jund had a season-high 354 passing yards in the victory over the College of Idaho. He threw four touchdown passes, caught one in the air for a 16-yard touchdown reception, and rushed for 48 yards. He also rushed it in for a successful two-point conversion and averaged 10.1 yards per attempt while passing. 

Nominees: 

DJ McGarvie, Concordia (Neb.), Garrett Kettle, Benedictine (Kan.), Xavier Malone, Pikeville (Ky.), Malik Nesbitt, Avila (Mo.), Adin Jungers, Dakota State (S.D.), Marques Burgess, Keiser (Fla.), Larry Harrington, Langston (Okla.), Ben Stevens, Marian (Ind.), Sam Tumilty, St. Francis (Ill.), and Maxwell Ward, Kentucky Christian.

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Malik Thornton, Cumberlands (Ky.)

Against No. 11 Georgetown (Ky.), Thornton was a difference maker with two critical interceptions and multiple big plays in the upset. At the end of 3rd quarter with the Tigers driving, Thornton notched his first interception and returned it 24-yards to set up a Patriots field goal. With UC leading 17-10 in the 4th quarter, Thornton tallied his second interception, this one he returned 74-yards to the house to make the score 24-10. That score ended up being the game-winning touchdown as the Patriots knocked off the Tigers. 

Nominees: 

Dijion Walls, Morningside (Iowa), Kile Bentley, Peru State (Neb.), AJ Hemphill, Ottawa (Kan.), Treden DavisReed, Presentation (S.D.), Wendol Philord, Keiser (Fla.), Tanner Harrell, Montana Western, Kole Murlin, Siena Heights (Mich.), Ron Carroll, Saint Xavier (Ill.), Xzavion Florence, Langston (Okla.), and Cornelius Cutliff, Kentucky Christian.

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Jahmal Hutsell, Cumberlands (Ky.)

  In a 24-23 upset win over No. 11 Georgetown, Hutsell made a key return with an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. In the 3rd quarter, the Tigers just took a 10-7 lead when he put the Patriots back in front with their first kickoff return for a touchdown since October 3, 2015. Hutsell finished with two returns for 102 yards and helped UC to their first top-15 win since 2019. 

Nominees:

Antoine Murphy, Hastings (Neb.), Devin Adams, Peru State (Neb.), Aaron Main, Kansas Wesleyan, Noah Karwacki, Dakota State (S.D.), Reagan Harrell, Webber International (Fla.), Clay Fisher, Montana Tech, Taylor Soper, Marian (Ind.), Odaine Reid, Missouri Baptist, Andre Reed, Louisiana Christian, and Matthew Moses, Point (Ga.)

 


Week 7 (October 17, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Tyler Tenner, Roosevelt (Ill.)

  Tenner tied a MSFA record with five rushing touchdowns, which also set a RU program record for touchdowns in a game, in the Lakers' 42-14 win over Trinity International. The junior running back also rushed for a career-high 220 yards rushing on 25 carries fo an 8.8 yard average.

Nominees: 

Zach Norton, Morningside (Iowa), Eli Williams, Avila (Mo.), Johnny Sullivan, Grand View (Iowa), Joaquin Collazo III, Bethel (Tenn.), Aaron White, Dickinson State (N.D.), Kaleb Jefferson, Siena Heights (Mich.), Tyress McKey, Reinhardt (Ga.), Isiah saddler, Texas College, and Rontavious Farmer, St. Thomas (Fla.).

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Adam DeJong, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)

DeJong tallied three interceptions in the game, tying a school record for interceptions in a game for the Tigers. He returned two of the three interceptions for touchdowns, accounting for 12 of the 31 points by himself in a 31-24 game. The picks were all against a top-25 passing offense in Briar Cliff and it helped DWU secured their first win of the season.

Nominees: 

Adam DeJong, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), Monte Toney, Avila (Mo.), Brody Patterson, Evangel (Mo.), Damon Byrnes-Mitchell, Cumberlands (Ky.), Riley Gerhardt, Valley City State (N.D.), Jacob Hockett, Taylor (Ind.), Michael Johnson, St. Francis (Ill.), Tylan Oglesby, Reinhardt (Ga.), Micah Latin, Louisiana Christian, and Nick Maroon, Ave Maria (Fla.).

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Wade James, Dickinson State (N.D.)

  Wade was 5-5 on field goals and 5-5 on extra points to score 20 total points for DSU in their 50-7 win over #22 Waldorf University. His field goals came from 36, 23, 26, 32, and 29 yards on an extremely windy afternoon. 7 of 11 of his kickoffs went for touchbacks, and one was recovered by the Blue Hawks after a squib kick was fumbled.

Nominees:

Kelen Meyer, Doane (Neb.), Bobby Schmidt, Friends (Kan.), Harry Balke, Benedictine (Kan.), Ian Sauter, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), Wade James, Dickinson State (N.D.), Zane Shilts, Taylor (Ind.), Brian Maday, St. Francis (Ill.), Reid Schratwieser, Reinhardt (Ga.), Jaysen Price, Texas Wesleyan, and Jaden Meizinger, Keiser (Fla.).

 


Week 6 (October 10, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Joe Dolincheck, Morningside (Iowa)

  Dolincheck etched his name in the Morningside record books again, recording eight passing touchdowns in the first half of a 70-17 blowout against Hastings (Neb.). The record-setting total for single-game touchdown passes replaces Ian Gilworth's 7 touchdowns in a game, nearly 14 years ago. He also completed 26 passes for 454 yards in the victory.

Nominees: 

Devyn Collins, Reinhardt (Ga.), Isaiah Williams, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), DJ Ciers, Bethel (Kan.), Joaquin Collazo III, Bethel (Tenn.), Sam Huntley, Waldorf (Iowa), Tyler Duncan, Arizona Christian, Christian Graney, Southern Oregon, Cody Braden, Webber International (Fla.), Seeger DeGayner, Concordia (Mich.), and Tom Casey, St. Ambrose (Iowa).

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Jake Regino, Southern Oregon

Regino had 15 tackles, an interception, and a strip-sack in Saturday's 49-14 win over Montana Western. He became the 1st Raider since 2014 to record 10-plus tackles in four consecutive games. Regino ranks first in the Frontier Conference and fourth in the NAIA at 11.8 tackles per game.

Nominees: 

Devon Polley, Concordia (Neb.), Zion McCray, Union (Ky.), Davion Stockard, Central Methodist (Mo.), Trey Palmer, Bethel (Kan.), DJ White, Georgetown (Ky.), Riley Gerhardt, Valley City State (N.D.), Jamarrion "Jay" Reed, Texas Wesleyan, Jamon Jones, Webber International (Fla.), Devin Bacchus, Indiana Wesleyan, and Corties Draper, Roosevelt (Ill.).

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Gary Elder, Avila (Mo.)

  Gary Elder had the best game of his short Avila tenure against Kansas Wesleyan, the NAIA's 15th-ranked team, this past Saturday. Elder pinned four of his seven successful punts inside the Coyotes' 20-yard line, and two of those were downed inside the five, including one inside the 1-yard line. And those two punts helped set Avila up for a pair of safeties shortly thereafter, four points which proved to be the difference in an 18-14 Avila victory.

Nominees:

Cameron McPhatter, St. Andrews (N.C.), Grant Pella, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), Jeremiah Payne, Doane (Neb.), Elgin Phillips, Thomas More (Ky.), Wade James, Dickinson State (N.D.), Javier Sinecio, Oklahoma Panhandle State, Ethan Cutler, Eastern Oregon, Wendol Philord, Keiser (Fla.), Casey Rauch, Concordia (Mich.), and Jeremiah Crawford, St. Ambrose (Iowa)


Week 5 (October 3, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Gerald Monroe, Graceland (Iowa)

  Monroe scored five of the six Graceland (Iowa) touchdowns in a 56-42 loss to Baker (Kan.). He had 13 catches for 304 yards, for an average of 23.4 yards. Late in the fourth quarter, Monroe scored his fifth touchdown that gave Graceland the opportunity to come within one touchdown. 

Nominees: 

Javon Bowie-Monteiro, Jamestown (N.D.), Josh Edson, Southwestern (Kan.), Noah Sickler, Dickinson State (N.D.), Jaiveyon Tucker, Faulkner (Ala.), Marques Burgess, Keiser (Fla.), Gunner Yates, Southern Oregon, Tyler Duncan, Arizona Christian, Nathan Herstich, Bluefield (Va.), Zach Bundalo, Marian (Ind.), and Brandon Mackey, Judson (Ill.)

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Keagan McCoy, College of Idaho

Keagan McCoy was a menace to the Carroll (Mont.) offense, recording four sacks, which was just shy of his school record of 4.5, as the Yotes shut down the Saints ground game. The Yotes held Carroll to a school record -15 yards of total rushing in the game. McCoy also forced a fumble and finished the game with nine tackles. 

Nominees: 

Joshua Miller, Morningside (Iowa), Ricardo Garcia, Kansas Wesleyan, Lontas Mcclinton, Central Methodist (Mo.), Matt Anderson, Dickinson State (N.D.), Calen Warren, Bethel (Tenn.), Jaelin Willis, Keiser (Fla.), Jake Farrell, Arizona Christian, Aaron Anderson, Point (Ga.), Donovan Shelton, Indiana Wesleyan, and Joey Markasovic, Saint Xavier (Ill.)

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Logan Johnson, St. Francis (Ind.)

  Johnson returned a blocked punt 37 yards for the winning touchdown with just over two minutes remaining in the contest to give St. Francis (Ind.) a 28-21 win over Missouri Baptist. He also registered four tackles, including 1.5 sacks, in the victory. 

Nominees:

Gabriel Medrano, Southwestern (Kan.), Ryan Conner, Evangel (Mo.), Kasen Handal, Waldorf (Iowa), Cam Jones, Cumberlands (Ky.), Hunter Hargrave, Keiser (Fla.), Sean Bailey, Arizona Christian, Giovanni Martinez, Point (Ga.), Jack Waddell, Rocky Mountain (Mont.), Anthony Secchi, and Siena Heights (Mich.)


Week 4 (September 26, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Ben Stevens, Marian (Ind.)

  Stevens had the greatest performance ever by a Marian pass catcher on Saturday, hauling in 8 passes for 283 yards, setting Marian's single-game receiving record. Stevens scored three touchdowns, with each touchdown reception 54 yards or longer. Stevens eclipsed 2,100 receiving yards for his career with the day and became Marian's No. 3 all-time receiver in terms of yards, and broke the MSFA Mideast single game receiving record. Stevens broke Marian's record with 248 first-half yards.

Nominees: 

Jalyn Gramstad, Northwestern (Iowa), Brad Cagle, Southwestern (Kan.), Garrett Kettle, Benedictine (Kan.), Riley Linder, Dickinson State (N.D.), Joaquin Collazo III, Bethel (Tenn.), Rontavious Farmer, St. Thomas (Fla.), George Tribble, Rocky Mountain (Mont.), Isaiah Randalle, Ottawa (Ariz.), Brandon Mackey, Judson (Ill.), and Jewels Gray, Bluefield (Va.)

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Bryan Valdes, Clarke (Iowa)

Valdes led all players in total tackles, solo tackles, and tackles for a loss as he also added a forced fumble and an interception in the fourth quarter that led to the Pride's comeback from down 19-10 with about seven minutes left in the game to a 20-19 win over Baker (Kan.).

Nominees: 

Koby Brandenburg, Hastings (Neb.), Josh Carter, Southwestern (Kan.), Jayden Heartwell, Dickinson State (N.D.), Chad Holleran, Georgetown (Ky.), Jake Regino, Southern Oregon, Nicholas Engler, St. Thomas (Fla.), Gabriel Tito, Wayland Baptist (Texas), Adrian Cuevas, Marian (Ind.), Joey Markasovic, Saint Xavier (Ill.), and Tyrese Wolfe, Bluefield (Va.)

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Nestor Higuera, Arizona Christian

  Higuera nailed an ACU program record five field goals on a program-tying five attempts. The kicker added an extra point to account for 16 of the 28 Firestorm points in a 28-20 victory over SAGU.

Nominees:

Jason Bachle, Hastings (Neb.), Bobby Schmidt, Friends (Kan.), Victor Moreno, Clarke (Iowa), Wade James, Dickinson State (N.D.), Noel Patterson, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), Kaysan Barnett, Rocky Mountain (Mont.), Braden Dick, St. Thomas (Fla.), Justin Johnson, Indiana Wesleyan, Scott Tumilty, St. Francis (Ind.), and Thomas Lee, Bluefield (Va.).


Week 3 (September 19, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Lee Kirkland, Pikeville (Ky.)

  Kirkland delivered the Bears five of their seven touchdowns in their 47-37 victory over Cumberland (Tenn.), tossing four touchdowns and adding one on the ground. The junior's 579-yard performance is the second most in a single game in program history. 

Nominees: 

Blake Fryar, Northwestern (Iowa), Cade Ross, Graceland (Iowa), Jonathan White, McPherson (Kan.), Jordan Cooper, Waldorf (Iowa), Kristopher Ewens, Ottawa (Ariz.), Hunter Gilbert, College of Idaho, JaQuan Ebron, Bluefield (Va.), Tyler Kulka, Lawrence Tech (Mich.), and Yemi Ward, St. Ambrose (Iowa).

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Carlos Conley, Roosevelt (Ill.)

Conley had two interceptions in Roosevelt's 28-20 upset victory over 7th ranked Concordia (Mich.), which included a 76-yard return for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14. The sophomore also blocked a field goal and had two tackles in the win.

Nominees: 

Dijion Walls, Morningside (Iowa), Fabian Njika, Benedictine (Kan.), Brenden Sanders, Bethel (Kan.), DJ White, Georgetown (Ky.), Tyler Dennis, Waldorf (Iowa), Eric Holman, Ottawa (Ariz.), Zach Spiroff, Carroll (Mont.), Tramonte Gardner, Union (Ky.), and Jamis Carson, Indiana Wesleyan.

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Spencer Berger, Carroll (Mont.)

  Berger went 3-for-3 in field goal attempts and was a perfect 2-for-2 on extra points in a 25-23 win over Eastern Oregon, including a 33-yard field goal to win the game. 

Nominees:

Jared Quinonez, Midland (Neb.), Matthew Moses, Point (Ga.), Ryan Conner, Evangel (Mo.), Gabriel Medrano, Southwestern (Kan.), Harlin Brown, Cumberlands (Ky.), Morgan Dostal, Waldorf (Iowa), Landon Reeves, OUAZ (Ariz.), John Mears, Montana Western, and Seeger DeGayner, Concordia (Mich.).

Week 2 (September 12, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Tim Salmon, Mayville State (N.D.)

  Salmon broke the single-game school record in passing yards and touchdown passes on Saturday with 525 passing yards and seven touchdowns in last week's 55-48 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan.

Nominees: 

Zach Norton, Morningside (Iowa), Nathan Herstich, Bluefield (Va.), Michael Murray, Evangel (Mo.), Brad Cagle, Southwestern (Kan.), Lee Kirkland, Pikeville (Ky.), Tyler Duncan, Arizona Christian, Jon Jund, Montana Western, Heath Simmons, Saint Francis (Ind.), and Liam Mickle, Trinity International (Ill.).

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Athanie Leeviraphan, Evangel (Mo.)

Leeviraphan had a career game on Saturday night, finishing with three total interceptions, with one of those returned for a touchdown against No. 22 Culver-Stockton. Leeviraphan finished with 54 interception return yards and also finished with five solo tackles and one assisted tackle in the Valor's 26-0 shutout victory over Culver-Stockton.

Nominees: 

Tyler Pawloski, Hastings (Neb.), Austin Hunt, St. Andrews (N.C.), Josh Seabolt, Bethel (Kan.), Mark Pruitt, Campbellsville (Ky.), Deqwunn McCobb, Waldorf (Iowa), Jordan Francis, Arizona Christian, Braden Smith, Montana Western, and Nate Talhelm, Saint Francis (Ind.).

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Landon Reeves, Ottawa (Ariz.)

  In his first game since 2019, Reeves scored 13 points kicking and he tied the OUAZ record with three field goals while converting all four of his PAT attempts. Reeves Added four touchbacks on eight kickoffs and his angeled kickoff allowed the cover team to force and recover a fumble to start the second half in a 39-12 win over SAGU

Nominees:

Jared Quinonez, Midland (Neb.), Matthew Moses, Point (Ga.), Ryan Conner, Evangel (Mo.), Gabriel Medrano, Southwestern (Kan.), Harlin Brown, Cumberlands (Ky.), Morgan Dostal, Waldorf (Iowa), Landon Reeves, OUAZ (Ariz.), John Mears, Montana Western, and Seeger DeGayner, Concordia (Mich.).

Week 1 (September 5, 2022)

Offensive Player of the Week: Joe Dolincheck, Morningside (Iowa)

  Joe Dolincheck went 27 for 35 in this week's game with No. 3 Northwestern (Iowa). The senior quarterback threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception along the way. Dolincheck rushed for 35 yards, with 19 of those yards coming on third and eight with 1:29 remaining on the clock in the fourth quarter, grabbing a crucial first down that allowed the Mustangs to ride out the clock to secure the win. 

Nominees: 

Nicholas Allsman, Kansas Wesleyan, Jase Orndorff, Culver-Stockton (M0.), Roques Dowdy, Thomas More (Ky.), Kaeden Frazier, Presentation (S. D.), D'Vonte Allen, St. Andrews (N. C.), Jon Jund, Montana Western, William Gibson, Marian (Ind.), and Ashton Strother, Missouri Baptist.

 

Defensive Player of the Week: Isaac Pingel, Morningside (Iowa)

  Isaac Pingel led Morningside's defense in tackles in the week one matchup against No. 3 Northwestern, recording 11 total tackles. The junior from Spencer, Iowa, had three tackles for a loss including two sacks, one of which resulted in a safety that would give the Mustangs the lead that they wouldn't give up for the remainder of the game.

Nominees: 

DeVante' Gabriel, Kansas Wesleyan, Devin Adams, Peru State (Neb.), Krew Mathern, Dickinson State (N. D.), Jailen Clemons, Faulkner (Al.), Terran Cox, Union (Ky.), Kameron Rauser, Montana Western, Dawson Scally, Taylor (Ind.), and Blake Kight, Missouri Baptist.

 

Special Teams Player of the Week: Nathan Hamilton, Grand View (Iowa)

  Hamilton was a perfect 3-3 in field goals, including a school-record 52-yard field goal to win the contest against Benedictine (Kan.)44-42. Hamilton was a perfect 5-5 in extra points attempts in the victory.

Nominees:

Kelen Meyer, Doane (Neb.), Wyatt Brusven, Rocky Mountain (Mont.), Joey Dales, Bluefield (Va.), Tyler Dennis, Waldorf (Iowa), Drevon Macon, Kansas Wesleyan, Noel Patterson, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), and Ben Stevens, Marian (Ind.).


 

 

Championship Information

NAIA Football Championship

69th ANNUAL
FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Nov. 23, 30, Dec. 7, 14, 2024
Football Championship Series
Campus Sites

Dec. 21, 2024
Durham County Memorial Stadium | Durham, N.C.