• NAIA Releases: Atwood | Van Cleave
• GPAC Release
SEWARD, Neb. – Named GPAC players of the week earlier in the day on Monday (Oct. 20), kicker Peyton Atwood and receiver Adam Van Cleave earned even higher honors from the NAIA. The NAIA National Office announced Atwood as the NAIA National Special Teams Player of the Week and Adam Van Cleave as the NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week. As a program, Concordia University, Nebraska Football has garnered three national player of the week awards in 2025. Carson Fehlhafer was also honored on Sept. 15.
A junior from Grand Island, Neb., Atwood continues to add to his growing list of school records. Atwood became the program standard bearer for career extra points in this past Saturday’s win. He pushed his total to 109, surpassing the previous record of 108 by Adam Meirose. As part of the victory in Hastings, Atwood went 4-for-4 on field goals tries, making attempts from 34, 38, 20 and 37 yards, respectively. Atwood also owns school records for PATs in a season (44 in 2024) and for longest field goal (50). Atwood leads all GPAC kickers and ranks second nationally with 10 made field goals this season. His 59 points (10-for-11 FGs / 29-for-30 PATs) are tied for the fourth most of any kicker in the NAIA in 2025. Atwood is majoring in Business Administration.
A senior out of Columbus, Neb., Van Cleave started at running back for the first time in his career and became the first Concordia player to produce more than 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game since Bryce Collins in 2015. Van Cleave finished last week’s game with 13 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns and 30 rushing attempts for 110 yards and a touchdown (first career rushing TD). Van Cleave scored the game-winning touchdown on a 26-yard toss from quarterback Gideon Stark in the final minute. On the season, Van Cleave has hauled in 45 receptions for 573 yards and six touchdowns. His career totals stand at 117 catches for 1,425 yards and 12 touchdowns. Van Cleave is an Accounting major.
The 23rd-ranked Bulldogs (5-1, 5-1 GPAC) will be headed to Sioux City, Iowa, on Saturday to take on No. 11 Morningside (5-2, 5-1 GPAC). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.
2025 GPAC Players of the Week
Oct. 20 – *Peyton Atwood (Special Teams) / *Adam Van Cleave (Offense)
Oct. 6 – Carlos Collazo (Offense)
Sept. 29 – Peyton Atwood (Special Teams)
Sept. 15 – *Carson Fehlhafer (Defense) / Jonny Puelz (Offense)
Sept. 8 – Terry Sebek (Defense)
*NAIA National Player of the Week