The WIAC Athlete of the Week Recognition Program is sponsored by Kwik Trip. Kwik Trip is a family-owned company that serves customers with more than 660 convenient, clean retail convenience stores and also produces more than 80% of the products featured in the stores supplied by its own commissary, bakery, dairy and distribution center located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
 

Week of Nov. 11 - 17
Offense
Ben Beckman, Senior (Blaine, Minn.), Quarterback of UW-River Falls
Beckman led a Falcon offense that put up 497 yards in UW-River Falls’ 31-24 victory over UW-Platteville on Nov. 16. He had 27 completions in 41 attempts for 405 yards and three touchdown passes. Beckman was also the game’s leading rusher with 41 yards for a game-high 446 total yards of offense. He is the first quarterback in school history to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season and leads the conference in passing yardage and total offense. 
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Joey Stutzman, Sophomore, Running Back, Lake Zurich, Ill.
UW-Oshkosh, Mitchell Gerend, Junior, Wide Receiver, Brussels, Wis. (Southern Door)
UW-Stout, Sean Borgerding, Sophomore, Quarterback, Spring Valley, Wis.
UW-Whitewater, Kyle Gannon, Junior, Offensive Line, Waukesha, Wis. (West)
 
Defense
Jed Schlegel, Senior (Baldwin, Wis./Spring Valley), Strong Safety of UW-Stout
Schlegel recorded three interceptions and all three came at timely spots in a 45-17 win over UW-Eau Claire on Nov. 16. With UW-Stout leading 14-3 and UW-Eau Claire threatening late in the second period, Schlegel picked off his first pass of the game a yard deep in the end zone and returned it 32 yards with 39 seconds left before halftime. Four plays later, UW-Stout scored to make it 21-3. On UW-Eau Claire’s next drive, with 11 seconds remaining, Schlegel picked off a Hail Mary pass on the UW-Stout 3-yard line. Schlegel’s third interception came after UW-Eau Claire scored twice to pull to within two scores and had the momentum going. Schlegel intercepted his third pass of the game on the UW-Eau Claire 18 and two plays later, UW-Stout scored to make the score 38-17. Schlegel finished the game with five tackles, four of them solo. Schlegel finished the season with five interceptions, which ties for the lead in the conference, and 84 tackles, including 50 solo, good for third in the league.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Josh Dorschner, Sophomore, Defensive Line, Neenah, Wis.
UW-Oshkosh, Kollyn Beyer, Junior, Cornerback, Mount Horeb, Wis.
UW-River Falls, Antoin Kealoha, Sophomore, Defensive Back, Henderson, Nev. (Green Valley)
UW-Whitewater, Matt Anderson, Senior, Linebacker, Rockford, Ill. (Lutheran)

Special Teams
Jaydon Haag, Sophomore (Sparta, Wis.), Kicker/Punter of UW-Oshkosh
Haag converted field goals of 42 and 49 yards and all three extra points during UW-Oshkosh’s 27-20 home victory over No. 3-ranked UW-Whitewater on Nov. 16. After making extra points in the first and second quarters, Haag gave UW-Oshkosh a 21-20 lead with his extra point at the 9:14 mark of the fourth period. Following a pair of interceptions by the UW-Oshkosh defense in the game’s final six minutes, Haag gave the Titans leads of 24-20 and 27-20 with field goals of 42 and 49 yards, respectively. Haag, who has made all 11 of his field goal attempts this season, also averaged 43.3 yards on three punts against UW-Whitewater. His longest punt of the contest went for a season-best 67 yards.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Ryan Beirne, Sophomore, Kicker, West Salem, Wis.
UW-Stout, Alec Benzinger, Junior, Kicker/Punter, Waukesha, Wis. (Mukwonago)
UW-Whitewater, Ryan Liska, Sophomore, Linebacker, Naperville, Ill. (Benet Academy)
 
 
Week of Nov. 4 - 10
Offense
Cole Spieker, Senior (Brainerd, Minn.), Wide Receiver of UW-La Crosse
Spieker caught a school record 17 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns in UW-La Crosse's 42-7 win over UW-Eau Claire on Nov. 9. He broke the single-game record of 15 receptions held by Joel Oxton (vs. UW-Platteville on Nov. 12, 2016) and Nick Holcomb (vs. UW-Oshkosh on Oct. 21, 2017). His 17 receptions are tied for fourth in single-game WIAC history. Spieker had a 13-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and 36-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. With his 157 yards, Spieker became the second player in school history with 1,000 yards in a season. His 1,130 yards ranks second in single-season school history. Spieker recorded his fifth straight game with at least 100-yards receiving and his fourth game this year with at least two touchdown catches.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Kobe Berghammer, Freshman, Quarterback, Cumberland, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Donald Allender, Junior, Wide Receiver, Youngstown, N.Y. (Lewiston-Porter)
UW-Stevens Point, Jonte Webb, Senior, Wide Receiver, Marinette, Wis.
UW-Stout, Parker Fossum, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, Chatfield, Minn.
UW-Whitewater, Ryan Wisniewski, Junior, Wide Receiver, Sparta, Wis.
 
Defense
Kollyn Beyer, Junior (Mount Horeb, Wis.), Cornerback of UW-Oshkosh
Beyer intercepted two passes, while totaling a team-best eight tackles during UW-Oshkosh’s 41-20 home victory over UW-River Falls on Nov. 9. Beyer stopped UW-River Falls drives with his interceptions at the UW-Oshkosh 35-yard line in the first quarter and at the UW-Oshkosh 2-yard line in the second. His lone pass breakup occurred in the second period. Beyer’s tackle count included six solo stops. He had two solo tackles and one assisted tackle during both the third and fourth quarters. The UW-Oshkosh defense held UW-River Falls to 362 yards, the Falcons’ second-lowest total of the season.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Joey Bolda, Junior, Linebacker, Sussex, Wis. (Hamilton)
UW-Platteville, Antonio-Jose Ramos, Senior, Defensive Back, Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead)
UW-Stout, Luke Wilz, Senior, Linebacker, Manawa, Wis. (Little Wolf)
UW-Whitewater, Mackenzie Balanganayi, Junior, Defensive Line, Palatine, Ill.

Special Teams
Elijah Alt, Sophomore (Lone Rock, Wis./River Valley), Defensive Back of UW-La Crosse
Alt blocked a UW-Eau Claire punt on the first drive of the game in UW-La Crosse's 42-7 win Nov. 9. His blocked punt gave UW-La Crosse the ball at the UW-Eau Claire 49-yard line and the Eagles used seven plays to take a 7-0 lead with 10:39 left in the first quarter. 
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Jaydon Haag, Sopohomore, Kicker/Punter, Sparta, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Samuel Herkert, Senior, Kicker, Oshkosh, Wis. (North)
UW-Stout, Dylan Peterson, Senior, Defensive Line, Stratford, Wis.
UW-Whitewater, Justin Prostinak, Senior, Wide Receiver, Milwaukee, Wis. (Lake Country Lutheran)
 
 
Week of Oct. 28 - Nov. 3
Offense
Ryan Wisniewski, Junior (Sparta, Wis.), Wide Receiver of UW-Whitewater
Wisniewski totaled five receptions for 111 yards and helped the No. 3-ranked Warhawks swing the momentum in the second half to defeat UW-La Crosse 21-17 at Perkins Stadium on Nov. 2. After posting two catches for six yards in the first half, Wisniewski enjoyed a big second half. With UW-Whitewater trailing 10-0 midway through the third quarter, he caught a 15-yard pass on first down. Two plays later, he recorded a 33-yard catch to set the Warhawks up in Eagle territory for an eventual touchdown. With the team trailing 17-14 in the fourth quarter, Wisniewski got separation from the defense and caught a 57-yard pass to put the team into the red zone. Two plays later, UW-Whitewater took the lead for good.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Cole Spieker, Senior, Wide Receiver, Brainerd, Minn.
UW-Oshkosh, Kobe Berghammer, Freshman, Quarterback, Cumberland, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Colin Schuetz, Junior, Quarterback, Aviston, Ill. (Breese Mater Dei Catholic)
UW-River Falls, Alex Traxler, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, Platteville, Wis.
UW-Stevens Point, Matt Urmanski, Senior, Quarterback, Edgar, Wis.
UW-Stout, Sean Borgerding, Sophomore, Quarterback, Spring Valley, Wis.
 
Defense
Nevada Laabs, Sophomore (Merrill, Wis.), Linebacker of UW-Stevens Point
Laabs led all players with 24 tackles in a 40-12 win over UW-Eau Claire on Nov. 2. He had 12 solo tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. The 24 tackles mark the highest total in the WIAC this season
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Nick Noethe, Junior, Linebacker, Blue Mounds, Wis. (Mount Horeb)
UW-Platteville, Tyler Reinhardt, Senior, Safety, Slinger, Wis.
UW-River Falls, Ben Ertz, Sophomore, Glen Haven, Wis. (River Ridge)
UW-Stout, Cannon Griner, Freshman, Defensive Back, Mesa, Ariz. (Red Mountain)
UW-Whitewater, Kaleb Kaminski, Junior, Linebacker, Tomahawk, Wis.
 
Special Teams
Donovan Lucas, Junior (Milwaukee, Wis./Brown Deer), Defensive Back/Returner of UW-Stevens Point
Lucas returned a kick for a touchdown for the second time in as many games. In a 40-12 victory over UW-Eau Claire, he returned a free kick following a safety 65 yards for a touchdown to put UW-Stevens Point up 30-6. He totaled 122 yards on three returns and had an interception in the contest.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Jaydon Haag, Sophomore, Kicker/Punter, Sparta, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Andrew Schweigert, Freshman, Kicker, Sussex, Wis. (Hamilton)
UW-Stout, Aaron Wisecup, Senior, Defensive Line, Monticello, Minn.
UW-Whitewater, Hayden Iverson, Freshman, Wide Receiver, Lake Mills, Wis.
 

Week of Oct. 21 - 27
Offense
Sean Borgerding, Sophomore (Spring Valley, Wis.), Quarterback of UW-Stout
Borgerding rushed for a career-best 149 yards and ran for a touchdown to tie the game in regulation and threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in the second overtime as UW-Stout downed UW-Stevens Point 38-31. Borgerding led two scoring drives in the first quarter, going 77 yards in nine plays, hitting John Smoczynski for a 6-yard score, then led a 40-yard drive in 11 plays and found Smocynski for a four-yard score. After UW-Stevens Point went ahead with 4:45 left in regulation, Borgerding connected with Kevion McDonald for 39 yards to the UW-Stevens Point 10 then, following a sack, Borgerding ran for an 11-yard score, leaping into the end zone and with the extra point, UW-Stout tied the score. After both teams came up empty in the first overtime, Borgerding took advantage of a free play when UW-Stevens Point was flagged for offside and Borgerding lofted the ball 16 yards to Tyler Seymour for what would prove to be the game-winning score.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Cole Spieker, Senior, Wide Receiver, Brainerd, Minn.
UW-Platteville, Colin Schuetz, Junior, Quarterback, Aviston, Ill. (Breese Mater Dei Catholic)
UW-River Falls, Ben Beckman, Senior, Quarterback, Blaine, Minn.
UW-Stevens Point, Matt Urmanski, Senior, Quarterback, Edgar, Wis.
UW-Whitewater, Zach Oles, Junior, Quarterback, Palatine, Ill.
 
Defense
Nathan Clark, Senior (Wales, Wis./Kettle Moraine), Defensive Back of UW-La Crosse
Clark had a team-high six tackles, including five unassisted, in UW-La Crosse's 31-3 win over UW-Oshkosh on Oct. 26. He also had two pass break-ups, one interception and one fumble recovery as the Eagles held the Titans to 201 total offensive yards and snapped an eight-game losing streak to UW-Oshkosh. Clark's fumble recovery in the second quarter led to a UW-La Crosse touchdown and 21-0 lead. The 201 yards by UW-Oshkosh were the fewest for the Titans against the Eagles since finishing with 175 in 2008. UW-Oshkosh's three points were its lowest total versus UW-La Crosse since the Eagles earned a 24-0 win in 2007.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Platteville, Tyler Reinhardt, Senior, Safety, Slinger, Wis.
UW-River Falls, Max Praschak, Senior, Somerset, Wis.
UW-Stevens Point, Nevada Laabs, Sophomore, Linebacker, Merrill, Wis.
UW-Stout, Mason Olson, Junior, Defensive Line, Clear Lake, Minn. (Baxter)
UW-Whitewater, Nate Tranel, Senior, Defensive Back, Lancaster, Wis.
 
Special Teams
Donovan Lucas, Junior (Milwaukee, Wis./Brown Deer), Defensive Back/Returner of UW-Stevens Point
Lucas pocketed his first career kickoff return for a touchdown at UW-Stout on Oct. 26. His 78-yard return in the first quarter quickly erased a 7-0 deficit and is the longest in the WIAC this season. He totaled three returns for 128 yards against the Blue Devils.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Cameron Sorenson, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, Oshkosh, Wis. (North)
UW-Platteville, Samuel Herkert, Senior, Kicker, Oshkosh, Wis. (North)
UW-River Falls, Bobby Patterson, Junior, Saint Ansgar, Iowa
UW-Whitewater, Aaron Sturdevant, Sophomore, Linebacker, Burlington, Wis.
 

Week of Oct. 14 - 20
Offense
Evan Lewandowski, Sophomore (Lake Zurich, Ill.), Quarterback of UW-La Crosse
Lewandowski finished 28-of-44 for 591 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception in UW-La Crosse's 63-49 win at UW-River Falls on Oct. 19.  His nine passing touchdowns and 591 yards set school and WIAC single-game records. The nine touchdown passes also tied the NCAA Division III single-game record set by Chaiten Tomlin of Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio) versus Anderson University (Ind.) (Oct. 21, 2017) and Joe Zarlinga of Ohio Northern University versus Capital University (Ohio) (Nov. 14, 1988).  Lewandowski also tied the NCAA Division III record for touchdown passes in a quarter with five in the second period. David Sullivan of Williams College (Mass.) threw five touchdowns against Hamilton College (N.Y.) (Oct. 30, 1993). Lewandowski set career highs in completions (28), attempts (44), yards (591) and touchdowns (9). He averaged 21.1 yards per completion.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Kobe Berghammer, Freshman, Quarterback, Cumberland, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Wyatt Thompson, Senior, Running Back, Mount Horeb, Wis.
UW-River Falls, Alex Herink, Senior, Wide Receiver, Hudson, Wis.
UW-Stout, Sean Borgerding, Sophomore, Quarterback, Spring Valley, Wis.
UW-Whitewater, Alex Peete, Junior, Running Back, Ringwood, Ill. (Johnsburg)
 
Defense
Nate Tranel, Senior (Lancaster, Wis.), Defensive Back of UW-Whitewater
Tranel registered seven tackles, including one-half tackle for a loss, to help the No. 3-ranked Warhawks to a 38-0 triumph at UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 19. He made three stops in the first quarter, including three on passing plays. After two other tackles on passing plays, Tranel made his way into the backfield on a running play to assist on a tackle for a one-yard loss on second-and-short, and the Pointers were eventually forced to punt. His performance helped UW-Whitewater record its first shutout of the season.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Rusty Murphy, Junior, Linebacker, Cudahy, Wis.
UW-Oshkosh, Brandon Kolgen, Sophomore, Defensive End, Appleton, Wis. (North)
UW-Platteville, Antonio-Jose Ramos, Senior, Defensive Back, Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead)
UW-Stout, Aaron Wisecup, Senior, Defensive Line, Monticello, Minn.
 
Special Teams
Ryan Beirne, Sophomore (West Salem, Wis.), Kicker of UW-La Crosse
Beirne went nine-for-nine in extra-points in UW-La Crosse's 63-49 win at UW-River Falls on Oct. 19. His nine extra-points set a single-game school record, breaking the record of eight held by eight different players.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Jaydon Haag, Sophomore, Kicker/Punter, Sparta, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Andrew Schweigert, Freshman, Kicker, Sussex, Wis. (Hamilton)
UW-River Falls, Bobby Patterson, Junior, Punter, Saint Ansgar, Iowa
UW-Stout, Alec Benzinger, Junior, Kicker/Punter, Waukesha, Wis. (Mukwonago)
UW-Whitewater, Justin Prostinak, Senior, Wide Receiver, Milwaukee, Wis. (Lake Country Lutheran)
 

Week of Oct. 7 - 13
Offense
Austin Belot, Junior (Neenah, Wis.), Running Back of UW-Eau Claire
Belot rushed for a career-high 223 yards on 30 carries (7.4 per carry) in a 27-14 homecoming win over UW-River Falls on Oct. 12. He scored a pair of touchdowns, including a 51-yard run late in the third quarter to give the Blugolds a 24-14 lead. Belot leads the WIAC in rushing, averaging 144.2 yards per game (6.2 per carry) and has eight touchdowns.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Cole Spieker, Senior, Wide Receiver, Brainerd, Minn.
UW-Oshkosh, Riley Kallas, Senior, Wide Receiver, Winneconne, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Donald Allender, Junior, Wide Receiver, Youngstown, N.Y. (Lewiston-Porter)
UW-Stout, Levy Hamer, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, Chicago, Ill. (St. Laurence)
UW-Whitewater, Ronny Ponick, Senior, Running Back, Stanley, Wis. (Stanley-Boyd)

Defense
Nick Noethe, Junior (Blue Mounds, Wis./Mount Horeb), Linebacker of UW-Oshkosh
Noethe totaled a team-leading 11 tackles, including 10 solo, during UW-Oshkosh’s 20-7 home victory over UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 12. Noethe counted seven of his tackles in the fourth quarter, two in the first and one in the second. The Titans held UW-Stevens Point to 16 yards rushing in the first quarter and only 2 in the fourth. Noethe’s lone tackle for a loss was an assisted tally in the second quarter. UW-Oshkosh held UW-Stevens Point to just 52 yards rushing in 28 attempts.

Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Victor Martinelli, Junior, Linebacker, Milton, Wis.
UW-La Crosse, Ryan Flathers, Senior, Defensive End, Lewiston, Minn. (Lewiston-Altura)
UW-Stevens Point, Berkley Corvino, Sophomore, Defensive Line, Weston, Wis. (D.C. Everest)
UW-Stout, Luke Wilz, Senior, Linebacker, Manawa, Wis. (Little Wolf)
UW-Whitewater, Niko Lemke, Freshman, Defensive Line, Salem, Wis. (Westosha Central)

Special Teams
Jaydon Haag, Sophomore (Sparta, Wis.), Kicker/Punter of UW-Oshkosh
Haag converted both of his field goal attempts during UW-Oshkosh’s 20-7 home victory over UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 12. Haag gave the Titans a 10-0 lead on his 25-yard field goal with 10:17 left in the second quarter. He then extended UW-Oshkosh’s lead to 20-0 on his 23-yard field goal with 9:24 remaining in the third quarter. Haag made both of his extra points, while averaging 26.6 yards on nine punts. Haag placed three of his punts inside the UW-Stevens Point 20-yard line.

Also nominated:
UW-Platteville, Samuel Herkert, Senior, Kicker, Oshkosh, Wis. (North)
UW-Whitewater, Ryan Liszka, Sophomore, Linebacker, Naperville, Ill. (Benet Academy)


Week of Sept. 30 - Oct. 6
Offense
Jonte Webb, Senior (Marinette, Wis.), Wide Receiver of UW-Stevens Point
Webb piled up a career-high 143 receiving yards in a 30-16 victory over UW-River Falls on Oct. 5. He did so on just five receptions, including a 60-yard touchdown catch that gave the Pointers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Riley Kallas, Senior, Wide Receiver, Winneconne, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Donald Allender, Junior, Wide Receiver, Youngstown, N.Y. (Lewiston-Porter)
UW-Stout, Levy Hamer, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, Chicago, Ill. (St. Laurence)
UW-Whitewater, Alex Peete, Junior, Running Back, Ringwood, Ill. (Johnsburg)
 
Defense
Tyler Reinhardt, Senior (Slinger, Wis.), Safety of UW-Platteville
Reinhardt led the Pioneer defense that shutout UW-La Crosse in the second half of a 38-20 win on Oct. 5. He had one interception and nine solo tackles, including two tackles for a loss of 13 yards and a sack for a loss of four yards. UW-Platteville improved to 4-0 for the second time in three seasons with the victory.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Brandon Kolgen, Sophomore, Defensive Tackle, Appleton, Wis. (North)
UW-Stevens Point, Berkley Corvino, Sophomore, Defensive Line, Weston, Wis. (D.C. Everest)
UW-Stout, Brandon Vecchio, Senior, Linebacker, Tomahawk, Wis.
UW-Whitewater, Jordan Brand, Senior, Defensive Line, Chicago, Ill. (St. Rita)
 
Special Teams
Alec Benzinger, Junior (Waukesha, Wis./Mukwonago), Kicker/Punter of UW-Stout
Benzinger was 3-for-3 in field goals, 2-for-2 in extra points and averaged 41.3 yards per punt over six kicks against UW-Oshkosh on Oct. 5. He booted field goals of 28-, 35- and 32-yards. Benzinger had one punt inside the 20 and one touchback on punts of 37-, 37-, 55-, 36-, 40- and 43-yards.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Jaydon Haag, Sophomore, Kicker/Punter, Sparta, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Andrew Schweigert, Freshman, Kicker, Sussex, Wis. (Hamilton)
UW-Stevens Point, Carter Unger, Freshman, Kicker/Punter, Waukesha, Wis. (South)
UW-Whitewater, Jaylon Edmonson, Sophomore, Running Back, Racine, Wis. (Case)
 

Week of Sept. 23 - 29
Offense
Austin Belot, Junior (Neenah, Wis.), Running Back of UW-Eau Claire
Belot led the Blugold offense in their 21-19 win over No. 6-ranked University of St. Thomas (Minn. on Sept. 28. UW-Eau Claire never trailed in its first win over the Tommies with its first score coming off a 24-yard rush from Belot. He would find the end zone again in the second quarter with a 77-yard run that put the Blugolds up 21-7 going into the half. Belot would finish the game with 142 yards on 23 carries (6.2 yards per carry). He has tallied over 120 yards in each of the season’s first three games, in addition to scoring twice in all three contests.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Platteville, Tyler Knigge, Senior, Wide Receiver, Waukesha, Wis. (South)
UW-Stout, Josh Nitek, Sophomore, Running Back, Blair, Wis. (Blair-Taylor)
 
Defense
Victor Martinelli, Junior (Milton, Wis.), Linebacker of UW-Eau Claire
Martinelli led the Blugold defense that held No. 6-ranked University of St. Thomas (Minn.) to 19 points in a 21-19 win on Sept. 28. The Tommies entered the contest averaging 71.5 points per game. Martinelli forced a fumble on St. Thomas’ first play from scrimmage, which led to UW-Eau Claire’s second touchdown to give the Blugolds a 14-0 lead. He led the Blugold defense with 14 tackles (nine solo), three quarterback hurries, two tackles for a loss and a sack. The Blugold defense stopped the Tommies on both of their two-point conversion attempts, including the last with just seven seconds remaining in the game and held the Tommies to 1-for-7 on fourth down conversions.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Platteville, Tyler Reinhardt, Senior, Safety, Slinger, Wis.
UW-Stout, Kierre Rhodes, Senior, Cornerback, St. Paul, Minn. (Johnson)
 
Special Teams
Alec Benzinger, Junior (Waukesha, Wis./Mukwonago), Kicker/Punter of UW-Stout
Benzinger had a career-day in a 29-21 win at California Lutheran University on Sept. 28. He was 3-for-3 in extra points, was 2-for-3 in field goals and averaged 38.0 yards on four punts. Benzinger booted a 22-yard field goal to put UW-Stout up 10-0 late in the first period. He was just short on a 52-yard field goal attempt as time wound down in the first half, then kicked a career-best 36-yard field at 14:59 of the fourth quarter to give UW-Stout a 22-7 lead. Benzinger averaged 38.0 yards per punt, pinning one punt inside the 20, and getting off a career-best 56-yard punt to the California Lutheran 21. On Benzinger’s final punt of the day, he booted the ball to the California Lutheran 9 and, with a six yard return, the Kingsmen were on their own 15 with about two minutes left in the game. Four plays later, the Kingsmen turned the ball over on a strip-sack by Scott Gustafson to preserve UW-Stout’s win.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Platteville, Drew Rakers, Senior, Long Snapper, Elm Grove, Wis. (Brookfield East)
 

Week of Sept. 16 - 22
Offense
Kobe Berghammer, Freshman (Cumberland, Wis.), Quarterback of UW-Oshkosh
Berghammer went 20-for-22 passing for 222 yards with three touchdowns and added another 49 yards rushing, including an 8-yard touchdown run, during his first collegiate start to help UW-Oshkosh to a 44-14 victory over Huntingdon College (Ala.) on Sept. 21 at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. Berghammer, who ended the game with 15 straight pass completions, connected on throws to 12 different receivers. His touchdown passes were of 27 yards to Jake Parsons and 6 yards to Mitchell Gerend in the second quarter and 17 yards to Max Nowinsky in the fourth. Berghammer gave UW-Oshkosh a 37-7 lead with his 8-yard touchdown run in the third period.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Platteville, Donald Allender, Junior, Wide Receiver, Youngstown, N.Y. (Lewiston-Porter)
UW-River Falls, Ben Beckman, Senior, Quarterback, Blaine, Minn.
UW-Whitewater, Max Meylor, Junior, Quarterback, Mount Horeb, Wis.
 
Defense
Kaleb Kaminski, Junior (Tomahawk, Wis.), Linebacker of UW-Whitewater
Kaminski tied a school record with 17 tackles to help the No. 3-ranked Warhawks post a 28-20 victory at St. Xavier University, the NAIA’s No. 5-ranked team, in a non-conference contest in Chicago on Sept. 21. He was especially active on passing defense, posting 11 stops on pass plays. Kaminski helped hold the Cougars to a field goal late in the second quarter by limiting a third-down running play to two yards, and held runs to no gain and a loss of three yards early in the third quarter to help force a field goal attempt. Kaminski’s activity helped UW-Whitewater hold St. Xavier to 3-of-15 on third-down conversions.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Kollyn Beyer, Junior, Cornerback, Mount Horeb, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Jordan Zilbar, Senior, Linebacker, Dover, Fla. (Strawberry Crest)
UW-River Falls, Max Praschak, Senior, Linebacker, Somerset, Wis.
 
Special Teams
Bobby Patterson, Junior (St. Ansgar, Iowa), Kicker/Punter of UW-River Falls
Patterson had a career kicking day for the Falcons in their game at Waldorf College (Iowa) on Sept. 21. Halfway through the third quarter, he made a 49-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 17-10 lead. The 49 yarder broke the school’s all-time record for longest field goal. In addition to the record breaking kick, Patterson recorded five touchbacks on kickoff and was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points. 
 
Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Peyton Peterson, Senior, Punter, Pewaukee, Wis. (Hartland Arrowhead)
UW-Platteville, Zack Krause, Sophomore, Running Back, Beloit, Wis. (Clinton)
UW-Whitewater, Andy Cooper, Senior, Punter, Munising, Mich.
 

Week of Sept. 9 - 15
Offense
Matt Urmanski, Senior (Edgar, Wis.), Quarterback of UW-Stevens Point
Urmanski completed 24-of-35 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-28 win over No. 21-ranked Wabash College (Ind.). On the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, he completed 6-of-7, including the seven-yard touchdown strike to Devin Baldridge. His 329 yards passing were a career-best at UW-Stevens Point and he went a second-straight game without a turnover.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Austin Belot, Junior, Running Back, Neenah, Wis.
UW-La Crosse, Dominic Labellarte, Senior, Wide Receiver, Brookfield, Wis. (Central)
UW-River Falls, Alex Traxler, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, Platteville, Wis.
UW-Stout, Levy Hamer, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, Chicago, Ill. (St. Laurence)
UW-Whitewater, Zach Oles, Junior, Quarterback, Palatine, Ill.
 
Defense
Joey Roth, Sophomore (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH), Defensive Back of UW-La Crosse
Roth recorded three interceptions and nine tackles (all unassisted) with 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 quarterback sack and one pass break-up in UW-La Crosse's 33-27 double overtime victory over No. 14-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University on Sept. 14. His three interceptions tied a single-game school record, becoming the eighth player in program history to accomplish the feat. Roth is the first player to have three interceptions since Steve Teeples against South Dakota State University on Sept. 2, 2006. Roth's first interception resulted in a 48-yard field goal to give UW-La Crosse a 17-7 halftime lead. He sacked Illinois Wesleyan's Brandon Bauer on the Titans' first play in the first overtime and recorded his third interception of the game on the next play to force the second overtime.
 
Also nominated:
UW-River Falls, Max Praschak, Senior, Linebacker, Somerset, Wis.
UW-Stout, Jed Schlegel, Senior, Defensive Back, Baldwin, Wis. (Spring Valley)
UW-Whitewater, Kaleb Kaminski, Junior, Linebacker, Tomahawk, Wis.
 
Special Teams
Carter Unger, Freshman (Waukesha, Wis./South), Punter/Kicker of UW-Stevens Point
Unger punted three times for a total of 127 yards, an average of 42.3, in a 31-28 victory over No. 21-ranked Wabash College (Ind.). He had a long of 52 yards and two of the three punts were inside the 20.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Jake Simuncak, Junior, Wide Receiver, South Milwaukee, Wis.
UW-Whitewater, Aaron Sturdevant, Sophomore, Linebacker, Burlington, Wis.
 

Week of Sept. 2 - 8
Offense
Austin Belot, Junior (Neenah, Wis.), Running Back of UW-Eau Claire
Belot tallied two of UW-Eau Claire’s five touchdowns as the Blugolds defeated Loras College (Iowa) 35-3 on Sept. 7. He scored from 58 yards out late in the first quarter and again from 1-yard out late in the second to cap a 93-yard drive. On the day, Belot racked up 168 yards on 17 carries, averaging 9.9 yards per rush.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Jake Simuncak, Junior, Wide Receiver, South Milwaukee, Wis.
UW-Oshkosh, Kobe Berghammer, Freshman, Quarterback, Cumberland, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Donald Allender, Junior, Wide Receiver, Youngstown, N.Y. (Lewiston-Porter)
UW-River Falls, Sam Altena, Sophomore, Running Back, New Richmond, Wis.
UW-Whitewater, Jarrod Ware, Senior, Running Back, Bradley, Ill. (Bradley-Bourbonnais)
 
Defense
Mark McGrath, Junior (Lisle, Ill.), Defensive Back of UW-Whitewater
McGrath enjoyed a strong season debut at Perkins Stadium on Sept. 7, tying for the team lead with five tackles and adding two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick in the Warhawks’ 42-7 triumph over University of Dubuque (Iowa). He posted his first interception with 14 seconds left in the first half as the Spartans threatened near midfield and returned it 14 yards to the UW-Whitewater 49-yard line. With 3:19 left in the third quarter, McGrath picked off Sean Duffy again near midfield and returned it eight yards to the Dubuque 43-yard line. On the Spartans’ next drive, he picked up a fumble forced by Matt Anderson at the Dubuque 36-yard line to set up another UW-Whitewater touchdown drive. McGrath also blocked a punt in the first quarter deep in Spartan territory to set up a Warhawk touchdown.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Jared Churak, Junior, Cornerback, Huntley, Ill. (Marian Central)
UW-La Crosse, Peter Kissling, Senior, Defensive Back, Oregon, Wis.
UW-Oshkosh, Trenton LaCombe, Junior, Defensive Line, Seymour, Wis.
UW-Platteville, Walter Ollie, Senior, Safety, Pearl City, Ill.
UW-Stevens Point, Berkley Corvino, Sophomore, Defensive Line, Weston, Wis. (D.C. Everest)
UW-Stout, Luke Wilz, Senior, Linebacker, Manawa, Wis.
 
Special Teams
Hunter Grams, Sophomore (Dane, Wis./Lodi), Punter of UW-Platteville
Grams had a strong performance for the Pioneers in his first career game, helping the Pioneers to a 38-30 victory over East Texas Baptist University on Sept. 7. He averaged 42 yards on his punts, including a long of 52 yards. Grams pinned East Texas inside the 20-yard line on two of his three punts.

Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Jaydon Haag, Sophomore, Punter, Sparta, Wis.
UW-River Falls, Bailey Germain, Junior, Linebacker, New Richmond, Wis.
UW-Stout, Scott Gustafson, Sophomore, Defensive Line, Victoria, Minn. (Chanhassen)
UW-Whitewater, Mark McGrath, Junior, Defensive Back, Lisle, Ill.