For Immediate Release
Monday, September 9, 2019
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet

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NSIC Offensive Player of the Week
#23 Nate Gunn (RB, 6-2, 220, Sr., Minooka, Ill. / Minooka HS) - Minnesota State
- Rushed 31 times for 242 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-23 win at SMSU
- Recorded more than 100 rushing yards for the 20th time in his career as a Maverick
- Surpassed 200 rushing yards for the third time in his career
- His 242 rushing yards against SMSU are the second-most in a game in his career

NSIC Defensive Player of the Week
#32 Dalton Smerchek (LB, 6-0, 210, Jr., Casco, Wis. / Luxemburg-Casco HS) - Concordia-St. Paul
- Led CSP with 9 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, a pass breakup and two QB hurries in a 41-17 win over Sioux Falls
- His forced fumble stopped a USF scoring drive at the goal line in the first quarter
- Made a tackle for loss at the goal line, pushing USF back to the 2-yard line leading 27-14, forcing a Cougars field goal to keep a two-score advantage in the third quarter
- Had a QB hurry on a fourth down play early in the fourth quarter at the CSP 35 yard line to protect a 27-17 lead
- His fumble recovery was on special teams, falling on a muffed punt to allow CSP to protect a 27-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter

NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week
#13 Cory Carignan (KR/WR, 5-10, 170, Fr., Arvada, Colo. /  Arvada West HS) - Minot State
- Had 192 kickoff return yards, including a 100 yard touchdown return
- Averaged 38.4 yards on five returns
- His touchdown return was the top play on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays that day

Other Top Performances
Offense
Kyle Saddler (Augie) completed 22-of-25 pass attempts for 235 yards and two touchdowns. His 88 percent completion percentage in the 52-0 win over Upper Iowa marks a league-best; on the ground, he tallied a pair of touchdowns to end the day responsible for four Augustana scores.
John Larson (UMD) finished 16-of-28 for 279 yards with 3 touchdowns in his 18th career game; averaged 12.8 yards per carry on six rushes (77 net), including a long of 40 yards; accounted for 20 points as he also ran in a two-point conversion attempt
Jakup Sinani (MSUM) completed 74 percent of his passes (29-of-39) in win over UMC; threw for 255 yards and two scores with no interceptions; also rushed for a touchdown.
Dwayne Lawhorn (SCSU) led the Huskies to a dominant 35-12 season-opening win over UMary; tied the school-record for single-game passing touchdowns (5); was 12-22 with 133 passing yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions; added 36 yards on the ground; Helped St. Cloud State maintain a perfect 14-0 record all-time against the Marauders
Owen Burke (WSU) went 23-33 with three touchdowns in the Warriors’ season-opening win. Threw for a career-best 313 yards while connecting with 12 different receivers.

Defense
Logan Swanson (AUGIE) led a shutout defensive effort for the Vikings with 1.5 sacks for 17 yards and three tackles. He was part of a defensive line that shutdown the UIU rushing attack, holding the Peacocks to just 33 yards rushing and 198 yards of total offense. Swanson was part of a defense that helped Augustana notch its first shutout since 2017, and first shutout at home since 2014.
Darius Woods-Steichen (MSUM) had five tackles and a forced fumble in win over UMC; forced fumble led to opening touchdown return by teammate Carson Zarak; had 2.5 tackles for loss, including a two sacks.
Cam Gavin (WSU) intercepted two passes in the season-opener win over Wayne State; added two tackles and a pass breakup; WSU defense shutout

Special Teams
Luis Guarita (AUGIE) went 7-for-7 on point after attempts and connected on his only field goal attempt for 10 points in Augustana’s 52-0 win over Upper Iowa. His field goal was from 24 yards out.
Luke Williams (MSU) went 2-for-2 in field goal attempts from 40 and 34 yards out; averaged 58 yards per kickoff in four attempts.
Aaron Wright (WSC) had 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown at Winona State, marking third straight season he has had kickoff return for score; second career 100-yard kickoff return for TD.
Paul Ortiz (WSU) went 3-4 in FG attempts, connecting from 25, 33 and 27 yards; went 4-4 in PATs; recorded two punts for 61 yards, including one inside the 20; added four touchbacks on kickoffs.
 

NSIC Football Players of the Week
9/9/19
O: #23 Nate Gunn - Minnesota State
D: #32 Dalton Smerchek - Concordia-St. Paul
SP: #13 Cory Carignan - Minot State