Northern State’s Dewaylon Ingram and Dakota Larson named to NSIC All-Conference first team

NSIC Offensive Player of the Year 
#15 Jack Strand (QB, 6-5, 220, So., Bloomer, Wis. / Bloomer HS) 
Minnesota  State University Moorhead
– Passed for 3.914 yards, a MSUM single-season record 
– Set single-season school records in passing touchdowns (36) and attempts (550)
– The 36 touchdowns were the third-highest total in Division II in 2023
– Completed 370 passes which leads the nation
– Also led the country in pass completions per game (33.64). 
– Set NSIC single-season record for pass completions with 340 in NSIC play
– Averaged 355.8 passing yards per game, completing 67 percent of his passes 
– Becomes the first MSUM player since 2007 to earn Offensive Player of the Year 
– Has thrown for 6,194 yards and 52 touchdowns in 20 career games at MSUM

?NSIC Defensive Player of the Year 
#36 Marcus Hansen (DE, 5-11, 240, R-So., Waseca, Minn. / Waseca HS) 
Bemidji State University
– Led the NSIC in tackles for loss (17.5)
– Ranks 11th nationally in tackles for loss
– Led the NSIC in sacks (10)
– Ranks seventh nationally in sacks
– Posted a tackle for loss in nine games, with a high of four
– Had sacks in seven games, with a high of 2.5

NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year
#3 Kendrick Watkins-Hogue (WR, 6-0, 180, R-Fr., Dubuque, Iowa / Dubuque Senior HS)
Wayne State College 
– Had 59 catches for 743 yards and eight TDs to lead WSC in receiving
– Tied for fourth in NSIC with eight touchdown catches
– Ranked sixth in yards per game (67.6) and receptions (59)
– Had at least three catches in every game
– Season-high nine catches for 88 yards and three TDs at Sioux Falls
– Season-high 129 yards receiving on six catches and TD vs. SMSU 

NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year
#4 Khai West (DB, 6-1, 180, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. / St. Paul Central HS) 
Minnesota State University, Mankato
– Has played in all 11 games for the Mavericks, including 11 starts
– Leads the Mavericks in interceptions with five 
– Ranks 14th in NCAA Division II in interceptions per game
– Has blocked two kicks and has recorded 34 tackles
– Tied a Maverick record with a 100 yard pick six
– Recorded a season-high eight tackles versus MSU Moorhead
– Had two interceptions against both Winona State and Wayne State

NSIC Coach of the Year
Jerry Olszewski (11th Season)
Augustana University
– Guided Augustana to its second NSIC Championship in three years
– The NSIC title was the first outright championship for AU since 1959
– Earns the NSIC Coach of the Year for third time in career
– The 10 wins are the second most wins for a single year in program history
– Has led Augustana to the NCAA Playoffs four times
– Picked up his 100th career win on Sept. 30 against Sioux Falls
– Among active head coaches, he ranks 19th in total wins at NCAA Division II

NSIC Assitant Coach of the Year
Mark Sipple (3rd Season)
Augustana University
– First Augustana Coach to receive the league’s Assistant Coach of the Year
– The Augustana defense led the NSIC in scoring defense at just 16 ppg
– The rushing defense (82.8 ypg) ranks ninth nationally and leads the NSIC
– Earned his second NSIC Championship with Augustana, joining the 2021 team
– Has helped Augustana to the NCAA playoffs for the second time in three years