MIAC Football: Offensive Player of the Week
Bethel University senior wide receiver Joel Quick (Johnston, Iowa) helped Bethel emerge from its bye week with a 33-21 win over Gustavus by catching seven passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Down 7-0, Quick's touchdown allowed the Royals to tie the game in the second quarter. He had two receptions for 38 yards each and in addition to his touchdown, earned first downs on four of his catches. Quick also had two kickoff returns for 54 yards, including a long of 35 yards.
MIAC Football: Defensive Player of the Week
Hamline University sophomore inside linebacker Cory Olsen (Elk River, Minn.) scored Hamline's first touchdown in the Piper's 34-17 win over Carleton on Saturday after he snagged an interception in the first quarter. The 6-5, 245 linebacker then returned the ball 39 yards for the score. He also had three pass break-ups in the game and a forced fumble that the Pipers recovered. He added seven tackles (three solo, four assists).
MIAC Football: Co-Special Teams Player of the Week
Hamline University sophomore punter John Broback (Apple Valley, Minn.) was instrumental in pinning the Knights deep several times during the Piper's 34-17 win over Carleton. Broback had a 77-yard punt that pinned the Knights on their own two-yard line in the third quarter. The Pipers were able to force a fumble inside the five following that set-up by Broback, and scored a touchdown on their first offensive snap after that fumble recovery. The 77-yard punt was just two yards shy of the Hamline record. Broback averaged 49.8 yards a punt on four punts and pinned the Knights inside the 20 twice with two 50+ yard punts (77, 61). Broback also had a 43-yard free kick following Carleton's safety in the first quarter.
MIAC Football: Co-Special Teams Player of the Week
University of St. Thomas sophomore kick returner/wide receiver Fritz Waldvogel (Mendota Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy) returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown for the second game in a row to start the Toms en route to their 42-3 win over Augsburg. After last week's 74-yard TD against Carleton, the sophomore dashed 87 yards to the end zone on Saturday's first play. The MIAC had gone 171 games without an opening kickoff returned for a TD before last week's score. Waldvogel now has seven kickoff or punt returns of 55 yards or longer in his last 12 games, including five for touchdowns. He finished the game with two TDs and 188 all-purpose yards, including six receptions for 71 yards. He ranks among the Division III elite as he's averaging 32.9 yards on kickoff returns and 14.9 yards on punt returns. His four return touchdowns lead Division III.
MIAC Football Athletes of the Week