November 13, 2023
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced its twelfth and final installment of the 2023 Football Players-of-the-Week honors Monday. Dickinson State (N.D.) swept the weekly honors after clinching their ninth consecutive North Star football regular season title and an automatic bid to the NAIA Football Championships Series (FCS). Will Madler was selected the Offensive Player-of-the-Week, Jayden Heartwell was chosen as the Defensive Player, and Chase Miller was tabbed as the Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.
NSAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Tim Salmon – Mayville State (N.D.) – 6’3” – 220 lbs., Junior – quarterback – New Richmond, Wis. – Salmon concluded the regular-season by going 22-of-39 (56.4 percent completion rate) for 388 yards with six touchdowns as Mayville State (N.D.) defeated NCAA Division III Martin Luther (Minn.). He registered a pass efficiency of 190.7 and did not commit an interception. He also rushed for 33 yards in the game. Salmon threw three touchdown passes to Joevontay Clayton, two touchdown passes to Javeion Davison and a touchdown pass to Mason Ollman.
NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Tel Lunde – Dickinson State (N.D.) – 5’10” – 180 lbs., Junior – defensive back – Wibaux, Mont. – Lunde keyed No. 16 ranked Dickinson State’s (N.D.) defense with a 52-0 road shutout at Dakota State (S.D.). He had a fumble recovery, an interception, half tackle for loss, and four total tackles for the Blue Hawks. Lunde recovered a fumble late in the second quarter and paved DiSU to a scoring drive for a touchdown near halftime. He caught an interception in the third quarter.
NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Chase Miller – Dickinson State (N.D.) – 5’10” – 170 lbs. – Freshman – kicker/punter – Torrington, Wyo. – Miller completed the North Star Athletic Association football season with a perfect kicking game in No. 16 ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) 52-0 rout at Dakota State (S.D.). He was 8-of-8 on all of his kicks, going 7-of-7 on extra point PAT kicks and hit a 19-yard field goal.
Recap from last week’s games
Dickinson State (N.D.), who moved up three spots from No. 20 to No. 16, wrapped up another undefeated North Star Athletic Association schedule for the fourth consecutive season. The Blue Hawks shut down Dakota State (S.D.) by the score of 52-0 in Madison, S.D. DiSU exploded for 28 points in the second quarter and cruised to their ninth straight victory. The Blue Hawks outgained the Trojans 463-175 in total offensive yards. Dickinson State headed to the NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) with an overall record of 9-1 and 8-0 NSAA conference record. Dakota State ended their season with an overall record of 1-9 and 1-7 NSAA conference record.
Valley City State (N.D.) used a 17-0 second quarter explosion to break a 7-7 tie into a 24-7 lead over Waldorf (Iowa) in Valley City, N.D. The Vikings held on to defeat the Warriors by the score of 31-21. VCSU recorded 382 total offensive yards to WU 272 total offensive yards. Valley City State concluded their season with an overall record of 7-3 and 6-2 NSAA conference record. Waldorf finished their season at 4-6 overall record and 3-5 NSAA conference record.
Mayville State (N.D.) led NCAA Division III Martin Luther (Minn.) 28-13 by halftime in their home regular-season finale. The Comets rolled to a 45-20 victory over the Knights to wrap up their season with an overall record of 3-8 and 2-6 NSAA conference record. MSU racked up 490 total offensive yards to MLC 325 total offensive yards.
Looking Ahead
No. 16 Dickinson State (N.D.) plays in the first round of the NAIA Football Championships Series (FCS) at No. 17 Montana Tech.
Saturday, Nov. 18 – NAIA Football Championships Series (FCS) – First Round
(16) Dickinson State (N.D.) @ (17) Montana Tech – 2 p.m. (Central Time)/1 p.m. (Mountain Time)
NSAA Football Standings
| School |
Overall
Record |
NSAA
Record |
Games
Behind |
Streak |
| x-(16) Dickinson State (N.D.) |
9-1 |
8-0 |
---- |
Won 9 |
| Valley City State (N.D.) |
7-3 |
6-2 |
2.0 |
Won 1 |
| Waldorf (Iowa) |
4-6 |
3-5 |
5.0 |
Lost 3 |
| Mayville State (N.D.) |
3-8 |
2-6 |
6.0 |
Won 1 |
| Dakota State (S.D.) |
1-9 |
1-7 |
7.0 |
Lost 1 |
| x-clinched NSAA regular-season outright title |
Nov. 11 Results
(20) Dickinson State (N.D.) 52, Dakota State (S.D.) 0
– FINAL
Valley City State (N.D.) 31, Waldorf (Iowa) 21
– FINAL
Mayville State (N.D.) 48, Martin Luther (Minn.) 20
– FINAL