Photo by: Zachary Lucy
Williams, Givance, Sell Named MW Football Players of the Week
9/21/2026 11:01:00 AM | Football
LAS VEGAS - North Dakota State's Jackson Williams, Darius Givance and Gavin Sell were named Old Trapper Mountain West Football Players of the Week by the conference office Monday, Sept. 21.
Williams, a third-year wide receiver from Omaha, Neb., was named Offensive Player of the Week after a career-high seven receptions and 134 yards with one touchdown in the 31-10 win at Sacramento State. He scored on a 33-yard pass to cap NDSU's game-opening drive and had four receptions of 20-plus yards with a long of 38. He ran for 53 yards after catch. Williams leads NDSU in receptions (18), receiving yards (283) and all-purpose yards (407) this year.
Givance, a fifth-year safety from Champlin, Minn., was named Defensive Player of the Week after making a career-high seven tackles for the second straight week, including six solo stops. He scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 24-yard fumble recovery as NDSU took a quick 14-0 lead just 3:11 into the game. It was one of three takeaways by the Bison defense. Givance played in his 48th consecutive game, the most among active NDSU players.
Sell, a second-year linebacker from Woodville, Wis., was named Freshman of the Week after making a season-high six tackles for the third straight game. He had one solo and two assisted tackles for loss, including a forced fumble on Sac State's first drive that resulted in an NDSU touchdown and 14-0 lead. He has two straight games with a takeaway including a 25-yard interception return at Air Force. Sell has started all four games after redshirting last year with nine tackles in three games played.
Through four weeks, the Bison have claimed 10 of the league's 16 player of the week awards.
North Dakota State (4-0) received votes in the AP Top 25 and AFCA Coaches Poll for the second straight week. The Bison return to action Saturday, Oct. 3, hosting the Wyoming Cowboys at 2:30 p.m. in the annual homecoming game at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.
Williams, a third-year wide receiver from Omaha, Neb., was named Offensive Player of the Week after a career-high seven receptions and 134 yards with one touchdown in the 31-10 win at Sacramento State. He scored on a 33-yard pass to cap NDSU's game-opening drive and had four receptions of 20-plus yards with a long of 38. He ran for 53 yards after catch. Williams leads NDSU in receptions (18), receiving yards (283) and all-purpose yards (407) this year.
Givance, a fifth-year safety from Champlin, Minn., was named Defensive Player of the Week after making a career-high seven tackles for the second straight week, including six solo stops. He scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 24-yard fumble recovery as NDSU took a quick 14-0 lead just 3:11 into the game. It was one of three takeaways by the Bison defense. Givance played in his 48th consecutive game, the most among active NDSU players.
Sell, a second-year linebacker from Woodville, Wis., was named Freshman of the Week after making a season-high six tackles for the third straight game. He had one solo and two assisted tackles for loss, including a forced fumble on Sac State's first drive that resulted in an NDSU touchdown and 14-0 lead. He has two straight games with a takeaway including a 25-yard interception return at Air Force. Sell has started all four games after redshirting last year with nine tackles in three games played.
Through four weeks, the Bison have claimed 10 of the league's 16 player of the week awards.
North Dakota State (4-0) received votes in the AP Top 25 and AFCA Coaches Poll for the second straight week. The Bison return to action Saturday, Oct. 3, hosting the Wyoming Cowboys at 2:30 p.m. in the annual homecoming game at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, September 08
Sunday, September 06
Tuesday, September 01
