Week 6: GPAC Football Players of the Week

(Sioux City, Iowa) – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and Hauff Mid-America Sports are proud to announce the following football players-of-the-week for games played the week of September 29-October 5, 2025.  Hauff Mid-America Sports is the presenting sponsor of the 2025-26 GPAC Players-of-the-Week and Players and Coaches-of-the-Year awards program. 

Hauff Mid-America Sports/ Football Players-of-the-Week

Offense – Carlos Collazo, Running Back (Concordia University)
Concordia running back Carlos Collazo is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Offensive Player-of-the-Week. Collazo, a junior from Marquette, Nebraska, enjoyed a record-setting day as No. 19 Concordia defeated Mount Marty on the road, 52-43. Collazo carried the ball 39 times for a program single game rushing record of 283 yards. He also scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to seal the victory. Collazo broke the former school record of 266 rushing yards on his final carry when he ran 29 yards for a touchdown. Collazo now leads the GPAC in rushing yards per game (140.0). The Bulldogs host Midland on October 11.  Kick off will be at 1 pm.

Defense – Wyatt Ryan, Linebacker (Hastings College)
Linebacker Wyatt Ryan of Hastings College is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Ryan, a senior from Overton, Nebraska, made the biggest play of the game, intercepting a Red Raider pass and returning it 5-yards for what proved to be the Bronco touchdown. His pick six gave Hastings a 10-6 lead, which would later result in a 10-9 win at #22 Northwestern. Ryan also contributed two solo tackles, as the Broncos held Northwestern to 220 yards of offense and under 100 yards rushing. The Broncos have the week off before hosting Concordia on October 18.

Special Teams – Stephen Leinen, Kicker (Dordt University)

Stephen Leinen of Dordt University is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Special Teams Player-of-the-Week. Leinen, a junior from Harlan, Iowa, converted field goals of 44, 60 and 47 yards and hit the upright on a try from 56. He also was 6-for-6 on PATs and scored 15 points in Dordt's 51-0 win over Briar Cliff. The 60-yard field goal bettered his school record of 58 set two years ago. The Defenders will travel to Waldorf on October 11. Kickoff will be at 1 pm.