The Great Plains Athletic Conference has announced its weekly football Players of the Week.
Offense – Ryan Durdon, Running Back (Concordia University)
Concordia running back Ryan Durdon is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Offensive Player-of-the-Week. Durdon, a sophomore from Decatur, Texas, piled up 266 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries in a 44-14 Concordia win over Midland. The 266 rushing yards equaled a school single-game record that has stood since 1972. Durdon scored on rushes of 41, 54, 3 and 20 yards. He had five separate carries of at least 30 yards. Durdon’s rushing total is the largest this season for any NAIA ball carrier. The Bulldogs will travel to Sioux Center, Iowa, to take on Dordt College, who was receiving votes in the last NAIA Poll, on Saturday. Kick off will be at 1 pm.
Defense – D’Mauria Martin, Defensive Back (Concordia University)
Concordia defensive back D’Mauria Martin is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Martin, a senior, from Converse, Texas, had three interceptions on Saturday. All three his picks came in the first quarter of Concordia’s 44-14 win over Midland. On those three picks, Martin totaled 78 return yards. His second and third interceptions both led to touchdowns scored by the Bulldog offense. He also chipped in a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in the win. Martin’s team high five interceptions this season rank as the second highest total among NAIA players. The Bulldogs will travel to take on Dordt College, who was receiving votes in the last NAIA Poll, on Saturday. Kick off will be at 1 pm.
Special Teams – Bo Els, Wide Receiver (Morningside College)
Bo Else of Morningside is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Special Teams Player-of-the-Week. Els, a sophomore, from Lincoln, Nebraska, had three punt returns for 60 yards and a 20-yard kickoff return in the Mustangs’ 70-10 win against Briar Cliff. Els returned a punt 51 yards to the Briar Cliff 18-yard line to set up the Mustangs’ first touchdown of the second quarter. The 4th-ranked Mustangs host 19th-ranked Hastings College on Saturday. Kick off will be at 1 pm.
