MCAC Football Week 2 Players-of-the-Week: Western Division

Rochester, Mn- The second week of football in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference offered teams one last chance to prepare for Divisional play that begins on Saturday, September 16th.  A handful of gridiron student-athletes showed that they are more than ready to help their programs earn a MCAC playoff spot in the coming weeks, with some outstanding Week 2 performances in all facets of the game.  Also debuting this week is the MCAC  'Stats Leaders' icon on Conference sport homepage.  In the Stats Leaders section, MCAC student-athletes are listed in the same categories as found within the NJCAA national database.

The Western Division Players-of-the-Week are as follows: 

MCAC Western Division Special Teams Player-of-the-Week:

Caleb Tinklenberg has been named the MCAC Western Division Special Teams Player-of-the-Week for his part in a Minnesota West CTC 30-23 victory over Mesabi Range College in Week 2 MCAC football action.  The freshman from Pipestone, Minnesota hit a field goal to tie the game at 3 in the first quarter and went on to go 3-of-4 on PAT's and well as bombing 6 kickoffs after scores. As a position player, Tinklenberg tallied four catches for 24 yards as well.  Minnesota West will travel to M State to open up Divisional play next Saturday.

MCAC Western Division Defensive Player-of-the-Week:

North Dakota State College of Science sophomore linebacker, Deadrick Jackson, gave his Wildcats an outstanding defensive performance this past Saturday when NDSCS traveled to #14 Central Lakes College.  The Memphis, Tennessee product had 13 solo tackles against the Raiders, including a 12-yard quarterback sack.  North Dakota State College of Science will begin the quest to return to the MCAC State Championship game as the Western Division champion when Jackson and his teammates begin Western Division play next week, hosting Ridgewater College.

MCAC Western Division Offensive Player-of-Week: 

Quarterback Shannon Patrick of Northland Community & Technical College threw for 354 yards, including a 53 yard strike, in a 44-6 win over Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College in a road game on Week 2.  Patrick was 23-of-42 against the Thunder and marched his Pioneer squad to 20 first downs in the game.  Patrick had four touchdown tosses, was intercepted only once, and helped Northland create over 500 yards of total offense.  The West Palm Beach, Florida product scattered his throws over 8 receivers, led by Malik Williams, who had 8 catches for 101 yards.   Northland will face Dakota College-Bottineau in Week 3 MCAC action. 

Other notable Week 2 performances: 

Dakota College-Bottineau running back Elijah Todd, put together a monster game against RCTC, carrying 27 times for 227 yards and two touchdowns, including an 81-yard outburst.  

Quarterback Peyton Kendrick, of Minnesota West CTC, threw for over 250 yards and two touchdowns as the BlueJays collected their first win of the season.  Kendrick also ran for a touchdown in the 30-23 victory over Mesabi Range. 

Northland CTC placekicker Donte Ensley was called into frequent PAT duty in the Pioneers 43-7 victory over FDL; Ensely was 6-7 on point-after-touchdowns and kicked a 19 yard field goal as well.

Three M State defenders combined for nearly half of their team's tackles in a 28-7 loss to Vermilion CC; Keyshawn Prince (9), Immanuel Orr (8) and Jeremiah Carmicheal (8) all had solid performances in the Spartan loss to the Ironmen.