SEWARD, Neb. – For the second time in less than 12 months, Concordia University, Nebraska’s Carson Fehlhafer has been named NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week. The latest national honor was announced on Monday (Sept. 15) by the NAIA National Office. Earlier in the day, Fehlhafer was tabbed the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week for his role in the Bulldogs’ 27-22 home win over Dakota Wesleyan. Teammate Daylon Henson also earned national recognition last week from the @NAIAFBALL social media account.
A returning First Team All-GPAC honoree at nose guard, Fehlhafer wreaked havoc up front in last week’s victory. The Centennial High School alum and Utica, Neb., native stuffed the stat sheet with 13 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and two blocked kicks (one field goal and one PAT). He was also credited with three quarterback hurries for a defense that limited the Tigers to 395 total yards. Fehlhafer also earned GPAC and NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week honors last season following the win at No. 2 Northwestern. On the season, Fehlhafer has produced nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, figures that rank No. 1 among GPAC players.
The local product is in his fourth year as a starter for the Bulldogs. He moved over to the offensive line in 2022 before settling in as an interior defensive lineman. Over three seasons on the defensive side of the ball, Fehlhafer has compiled career totals of 103 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three blocked kicks.