The week’s top football players in the Great Plains Athletic Conference have been announced.
Offense – Ryan Kasdorf, Quarterback – Morningside College
Morningside quarterback Ryan Kasdorf is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Offensive Player-of-the-Week. Kasdorf, a senior from Newhall, California, totaled six touchdown passes on Saturday while completing 24-27 pass attempts for 468 yards as top ranked Morningside won at Hastings 76-14. The Mustangs set a new NAIA national record with 916 total yards of offense as they eclipsed the old mark of 914 yards set in 1975. Number one Morningside will host 16th ranked Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday in Sioux City in a 1pm contest.
Defense – Jared Van Winkle, Safety – Dakota Wesleyan University
Dakota Wesleyan safety Jared Van Winkle is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Van Winkle, a junior from Tyndall, South Dakota, had two big interceptions in the fourth quarter on Saturday as DWU came back from being down 16 points to defeat Doane 27-23. His second interception came in the final minute and sealed the win for the Tigers in Mitchell. He also added three solo and three assist tackles on the afternoon. The Tigers, ranked 16th in the NAIA, will play at top-ranked Morningside on Saturday in Sioux City.
Special Teams – Kramer Rath, Kicker – Nebraska Wesleyan
Nebraska Wesleyan kicker Kramer Rath is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Special Teams Player-of-the-Week. Rath, a freshman from Lincoln, Nebraska, was perfect on field goals in the Prairie Wolves homecoming win over Concordia 37-34. On the day he split the uprights from 37, 29, and 31 yards. The 31 yard field goal came with 1:11 left in fourth quarter and tied the game and sent it to overtime. Rath had touchbacks on four of seven kickoff attempts. Nebraska Wesleyan will travel to Dordt on Saturday for a 1pm kickoff in Sioux Center.
