This week's Missouri Valley Football Conference players of the week include QB Beau Brungard of Youngstown State; DB Grant Noland of North Dakota; RB/RS Donald Barksdale of Youngstown State; WR Lynn Wyche-El of Youngstown State; and LT Trace Thaden of North Dakota.

Offensive Player of the Week
QB Beau Brungard, Youngstown State
6-0, 210, 5th, New Middletown, Ohio (Springfield HS)
Brungard had two passing and one rushing touchdown as the Penguins defeated UNI, 35-22, on Saturday night at Stambaugh Stadium. He completed 23-of-27 passes for 240 yards and rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries. He had scoring throws of 16 and 42 yards and added a one-yard rushing score. He completed his first 13 passes of the game and was 14-of-15 at halftime with the lone incompletion a drop.

Defensive Player of the Week
DB Grant Noland, North Dakota
6-0, 186, So., Kearney, Mo. (Kearney HS)
Noland registered a career-high six pass break-ups, which are the most by an FCS or FBS player in a game this season, and added three solo tackles to help No. 11/15 North Dakota upset No. 1/1 South Dakota State in front of a sellout crowd at the Alerus Center. Noland's efforts contributed to the Fighting Hawks' defense that limited the nation's second-highest scoring team to a season-low 10 points and 326 yards of total offense. Noland and company made it difficult for SDSU quarterback Chase Mason to find a rhythm as he completed just 14 of 33 (42.4 percent) passes in the contest for 169 yards. Noland took over the FCS lead in total pass break-ups on the season, increasing his total to 13. 

Special Teams Player of the Week
RB/RS Donald Barksdale, Youngstown State
5-10, 180, So., Homestead, Pa. (Steel Valley HS)
Barksdale returned the opening kickoff 93 yards and the Penguins never looked back en route to a 35-22 win over UNI on Saturday night at Stambaugh Stadium. He took the opening kickoff at the seven and found a seem up the middle before racing past the UNI kicker for his first career touchdown. It was YSU’s first KO return for a touchdown since Flash Wilson against Murray State on Oct. 25, 2025.

Newcomer of the Week 
WR Lynn Wyche-El, Youngstown State
5-10, 175, 5th, Detroit, Mich. (Grand Valley State/King HS)
Wyche-El caught eight passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in the Penguins’ 35-22 victory over UNI on Saturday night. He hauled in a 42-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. He has scored a touchdown in all eight games this season.

Offensive Lineman of the Week
LT Trace Thaden, North Dakota
6-7, 306, Sr., Omaha, Neb. (Millard West HS)
Thaden graded out at 84 percent on 62 snaps during No. 11/15 North Dakota's upset of No. 1/1 South Dakota State. The Fighting Hawks' left tackle paved the way for UND to churn out 175 rushing yards, which were the most the Jackrabbits' defense has allowed to an FCS opponent this season. Thaden did not allow a sack or pressure as well, helping UND knock off the No. 1 team in the country for the first time at the FCS level.