For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet
NSIC Offensive Player of the Week
#15 Hayden Ekern (QB, 6-2, 205, Sr., Chicago, Ill. / St. Rita HS) – Minnesota State
- Was a part of five touchdowns in a 36-22 win at #22 Northwest Missouri State
- Is the first MSU quarterback to record four rushing touchdowns in a game since Nov. 16, 2013
- Finished with 56 rushing yards and 265 yards of total offense, second best in NSIC last week
- Completed 18-of-25 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown pass
- Scored MSU’s first three touchdowns of the game
NSIC Defensive Player of the Week
#24 Justus Breston (DB, 5-11, 178, Jr., Atlanta, Ga. / Chabot College) - University of Mary
- Returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a 23-6 nonconference win over Jamestown
- On final play of 1st quarter, returned an interception 25 yards to extend the lead to 9-0
- Scored on a 47-yard interception return in the second quarter
- Finished with two interceptions returned for 72 yards and two touchdowns
- Broke up another pass and had one tackle
NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week
#41 Joey Prondzinski (K/P, 5-10, 194, R-Jr., Brookfield, Wis. / Brookfield East HS) - Bemidji State
- Scored seven of BSU’s points in a 19-13 overtime win over Michigan Tech
- Connected on field goals from 22 and 21 yards out and added an extra point
Others Under Consideration
OFFENSE
Brice Peters (BSU)
- Had five receptions for 72 yards with two scores
- Caught the overtime, game-winning pass from 21 yards out to get the 19-13 win over Michigan Tech
Kyle Walljasper (UMD)
- Posted the most passing yards in the NSIC last week with 312
- Added four passing scored in UMD’s 35-7 win at Northern Michigan
- Was 19-of-27 with a long of 51 yards
- Had the fourth most passing yards in all of the NCAA last week
- Added the third-highest passing efficiency and eighth most points (18)
- The 317 passing yards were a career high for him
Carson Chrisman (MINOT)
-Tied a school record with four touchdowns in his debut at quarterback
- Rushed for 133 yards as Minot State broke the single-game team record for rushing yards with 416
- Led Beavers to first season-opening win since 2002, a 38-7 win over VCSU
Camden Dean (USF)
- Threw for 189-yards while rushing for 64-yards and a touchdown
- Combined for 253 total yards of offense in an upset win over FCS St. Thomas
- Also recorded a punt inside the 20
Boyd Latravious (WSC)
- Rushed for 141 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns
- Scored on runs of 11 and 95 yards
- The 95-yard TD run was second-longest in WSC history
- Second career 100-yard game
DEFENSE
Stephen Hoffman (BSU)
- Had six tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted), 1.5 sacks for 9 yards, 1.5 TFL for 9 yards, 3 quarterback hurries
Cody Brown (MSU)
- Had seven tackles in a 36-22 win at No. 22 Northwest Missouri State
- Recorded a team-high three tackles for 17 yards lost and a team-high 2.0 sacks
Andy Henson (USF)
- Recorded 4 solo tackles against St. Thomas with two being for a loss of 8-yards
- Recorded a sack for a loss of 7-yards
- Added a forced fumble
Chaney Brayden (WSC)
- In first collegiate start, had 58-yard INT return for TD in 49-17 win over Missouri S&T
- Added one pass breakup with three tackles (two solo)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Diego Nunez-Smith (MINOT)
- Scored eight points in Minot State’s 38-7 win over Valley City State
- Kicked a 33-yard field goal in his Beaver debut for the first points of the season for Minot State
- Converted on 5-of-5 extra point attempts
Hensley Boston (WSC)
- Was 7-7 on PAT kicks vs. Missouri S&T
- Had four touchbacks on eight kickoffs, averaging 63.4 yards per kickoff
8/29/24 Results
Football Pages
NSIC Football Players of the Week
9/3/24
O: #15 Hayden Ekern - MSU
D: #24 Justus Breston - UMary
SP: #41 Joey Prondzinski - BSU
About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 15-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past quarter century, maturing into a union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 27 team national championships and crowned 116 individual national champions. For additional information, visit
NorthernSun.org.
About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.
#NSICFB