Rochester, MN-
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) has released its week 3 football awards for the week of September 6-13. The MCAC Football Player-of-the-Week awards are sponsored by the US Marines.
#4 ranked North Dakota State College of Science, with a 34-28 win over previously unbeaten Minnesota State - Fergus Falls, collects a player of the week award in each of the three categories. Graedyn Buell was named an Offensive Player-of-the-Week after his three touchdown day, Sylvester Ware takes home a Defensive Player-of-the-Week award for his 3-sack performance on Saturday, and Nikolas Hunchak kicked his way to a Special Teams Player-of-the-Week honor by punting and kicking nearly half a mile in total yards and adding 4 extra points in 4 tries during the team's victory.
Rochester Community and Technical College's wide receiver Myanza McCain earned an Offensive Player-of-the-Week award after scoring two touchdowns on 3 catches.
William Black, Minnesota State Community and Technical College's defensive back, was named a Defensive Player-of-the-Week award by racking up 16 total tackles, 5 of which were solo tackles.
Each week throughout the 2021 season, two offensive, two defensive, and a special teams athlete will be named players-of-the-week, based on nominations submitted by MCAC member football programs.
As MCAC teams compile games and statistics, keep tabs on Conference leaders at the following links:
MCAC Statistical Leaders: https://mcacsports.org/sports/fball/2021-22/leaders
MCAC Standings: https://mcacsports.org/sports/fball/2021-22/standings
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MCAC FootballOffensive Players-of-the-Week |
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Graedyn Buell Fr. / QB Cheyenne, WY
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North Dakota State College of Science quarterback, Graedyn Buell, completed 11 of 14 passes (78.5%) for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns to earn a Offensive Player-of-the-Week honor. His long completion of the day was 39 yards. The freshman from Cheyenne, WY also ran for 49 yards and a touchdown on his way to leading the Wildcats to a win over prevously unbeaten Minnesota State - Fergus Falls. NDSCS remains undefeated on the season at 3-0 and continues to be ranked #4 in the nation. They return to the field on Saturday to host #3 ranked Itasca Community College. |
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Myanza McCain So. / WR Poplar Bluff, MO
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Myanza McCain, sophomore wide receiver for Rochester Community and Technical College has been named Offensive Player-of-the-Week after his three catch, two touchdown performance for the Yellowjackets. On just three catches, McCain picked up 66 yards and scored twice to help lead his team to their second win of the season. Rochester Community and Technical College is now 2-1 on the season, and travels to Mesabi Range College on Saturday. |
| Other Notable Offensive Performers | None mentioned this week
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MCAC FootballDefensive Players-of-the-Week |
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Sylvester Ware Fr. / DL Sun Prairie, WI
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Sylvester Ware, freshman defensive lineman for #4 North Dakota State College of Science, earns Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors with his three sacks on Saturday. The Sun Prairie, WI product had 5 tackles, 3 of which were solo tackles, and 3 sacks. He also broke up one pass. NDSCS is 3-0 on the season and returns to the field on Saturday to host #3 ranked Itasca Community College. |
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William Black Fr. / DB New Iberia, LA
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Minnesota State Community and Technical College freshman defensive back, William Black, had a strong defensive performance on Saturday to earn him Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors. The New Iberia, LA native had 16 tackles, securing 5 of them without help from his teammates, and one for a loss. Black also broke up a pass. The Spartans are now 2-1 on the season and take the field again on Saturday at Vermilion Community College. |
| Other Notable Defensive Performers |
Conner Loy (LB, RCTC): had one tackle, an interception and a pass break up, and blocked a punt Jaderian Johnson (LB, NDSCS): six tackles with 1.5 sacks, 2 passes broken up. Johnson also had 1 reception for 81 yds. and a TD Tavion Wells (DB, NDSCS): five tackles, an interception, and 4 passes broken up |
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MCAC FootballSpecial Teams Player-of-the-Week |
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Nikolas Hunchak Fr. / Kicker and Punter Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |
North Dakota State College of Science freshman kicker and punter, Nikolas Hunchak, was 4 for 4 on extra points for the Wildcats, and averaged 46 yards on each of his five kickoffs with one touchback. The Saskatoon product also averaged over 48 yards per punt on six opportunities, with a long of 57 yards. He pinned M State inside the 20 yard line on one punt too. Possibly the most impressive thing Hunchak did during the game was throwing an 81 yard touchdown pass to teammate Jaderian Johnson, which proved to be the difference in the win. NDSCS moves to 3-0 and remains ranked #4 in the nation. The Wildcats host #3 Itasca Community College on Saturday. |
| Other Notable Special Teams Performers |
Ethan Forthun (K/P, RCTC): 5 for 5 on PAT's, 5 punts with a 33.3 yard average Alieu Conteh (DB, MSFF): 2 kickoff returns for 87 yards and 1 TD |
This release sponsored by:
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About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.