Junior D.J. Gnader and freshman Simon Mathiesen each earned MIAA Athlete of the Week honors, the conference office announced on Monday. Gnader was named the Defensive Athlete of the Week while Mathiesen garnered Special Teams Athlete of the Week honors.

Gnader, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, had a game high 12 tackles in Northwest’s 51-21 victory over Missouri Western. In the win, Gnader also recorded a sack, a pass breakup and recovered a fumble as Northwest held the Griffons to just 115 rushing yards and 293 total yards. Gander becomes the third Northwest player to earn defensive honors. Defensive end Matt Longacre has earned the award twice and cornerback Brandon Dixon earned honors in the opening week of the season.

Mathiesen, who was making just his second start as the Bearcats’ place kicker, hit three field goals and was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points on Saturday. Mathiesen, a native of Vedbaek, Denmark, hit field goals from 36, 40 and 32yards, respectively and is the first Bearcat to earn special teams honors this season. He is also the first player to come from Denmark in Bearcat program history.

The Bearcats won the outright MIAA title, going 11-0, earning the top seed in the Super Region Three rankings and will have a bye for the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Northwest will host the winner of the No. 4 ranked Minnesota Duluth and No. 5 ranked Emporia State game on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Bearcat Stadium at noon.

— Northwest Sports Information —