Pittsburg State’s Nate Dreiling was named the MIAA Football Defensive Athlete of the Week and his teammate John Brown the Offensive Athlete of the Week. Fort Hays State’s Cameron Owens was named the MIAA Specialist Teams Athlete of the Week.

MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week
John Brown, WR, Pittsburg State

Brown posted a game-high 12 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns to help propel No. 10 Pittsburg State to a 31-21 road win over Central Missouri Saturday (Oct. 12). He hauled in a five-yard scoring catch from quarterback Tony Abenoja with 1:00 remaining in the second quarter to help the Gorillas draw even at 14-14. He then had a key 38-yard catch 40 seconds later that set up PSUs go-ahead score with 6 ticks remaining in the first half. Brown added a 30-yard scoring catch to open the second half as the Gorillas built a 28-14 cushion, and his eight-yard grab in the games final minute allowed Pitt State run out the clock and claim a hard fought win. The 5-11 senior return specialist is a native of Homstead, Fla. where he competed at Homestead High School prior to playing at Coffeyville Community College.

MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week
Nate Dreiling, LB, Pittsburg State

Dreiling made a team-leading eight tackles and an interception that led to a score to help No. 10 Pittsburg State to a 31-21 road win over Central Missouri Saturday (Oct. 12). He snared an interception on the games first offensive play, allowing the Gorillas to capitalize on a short field and grab an early 7-0 lead. He made eight tackles with two stops behind the line of scrimmage as Pitt State limited UCM to 57 net rushing yards in the contest. Dreiling currently sits in ninth place on the MIAA all-time tackle chart with 437 career stops. The 6-4 senior linebacker is a native of Hutchison/Victoria, Kan. where he competed at Hutchison High School.

MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week
Cameron Owens, P, Fort Hays State

Owens averaged 51.2 yards on his four punts against Lindenwood. Three of the four resulted in drives starting inside the Lindenwood 20-yard line. His longest punt of the day was 65 yards, which resulted in the ball being downed at the Lindenwood 19. The average field start for Lindenwood on Owens punts was the 17-yard line. All four of his punts were at least 43 yards. Lindenwood scored on only one drive that started after a punt by Owens. Owens also averaged 56.8 yards on six kickoffs in the game.  The 5-10 senior punter is a native of Topeka, Kan. where he competed at Washburn Rural High School prior to playing for Highland Community College.

— MIAA Press Release —