The Great Plains Athletic Conference has announced its weekly awards for football.
Defense – Dillon Turner, Quaterback (Dakota Wesleyan University)
For the second-consecutive week, Dakota Wesleyan quarterback Dillon Turner is the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Offensive Player-of-the-Week. Turner, a sophomore from Salem, Arkansas, finished with 257 yards passing and four touchdowns, finding nine different wide receivers to move the No. 22 Tigers to 4-0 overall. The dual-threat quarterback got loose with his legs as well. He carried the ball 19 times for 110 yards. The win was his second straight with at least 250 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. He moved into ninth place on the all-time DWU passing list. The Tigers, ranked 22nd, will host Hastings College on Saturday. Kick off will be at 1pm.
Defense – Tanner Thomas, Defensive Back (Doane College)
Doane College defensive back Tanner Thomas is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Thomas, a senior, from Mesa, Arizona, recorded two interceptions for the second straight week and now has four on the season to lead the NAIA and the GPAC. He was also in on four tackles and helped the Tiger defense hold Hastings to 229 total yards in offense on Saturday. The Tigers, ranked #14 in the NAIA, will host #9 Northwestern on Saturday at 1pm.
Special Teams – Connor Niles, Wide Reciever (Morningside College)
Morningside wide receiver Connor Niles is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Special Teams Player-of-the-Week. Niles, a sophomore, from Sioux City, Iowa, returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter of the Mustangs’ 49-0 victory. He had three returns for 87 yards for an average of 29.0 yards per return in the contest. Niles, who also had six pass receptions for a career-high 172 yards and three touchdowns in the contest, is the fifth leading punt returner in the NAIA with an average of 23.6 yards per return. The Mustangs host NCAA Div. II top-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater on Thursday at 6 PM. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 3
