(MVFC/UND Athletics) ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Two members from the University of North Dakota football program were named Missouri Valley Football Conference Player of the Week on Monday. Quarterback Tommy Schuster earned the title of MVFC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, while linebacker Malachi McNeal was named the MVFC Newcomer of the Week.
Schuster went 24-for-28 passing for 223 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-19 win over South Dakota. He was not sacked in the game and it was his eighth game this season with at least 20 completions.
This season alone, Schuster has a completion percentage of 71.6. His career completions percentage is 67.1 percent, up from 64.8 percent at the beginning of the season.
Already this season, Schuster has cemented his place in UND history as the all-time record holder for passing yards in a career (6,487), all-time career completions (601) and UND Division I touchdown passes thrown (40).
Schuster shared the honor with Jaleel McLaughlin of Youngstown State. McLaughlin rushed for 227 yards in the 25-22 loss at Missouri State. With the 227 yards on the ground, he set the NCAA career rushing yardage record and now has 8,082 yards to eclipse the former record total of 8,074 set by Mount Union’s Nate Kmic (2005-08).
McNeal, the MVFC Newcomer of the Week, earned the accolade for his blocked punt right before intermission on Saturday. The blocked punt gave UND momentum and led to a 14-13 lead on the scoreboard at the break. North Dakota defeated South Dakota 28-19 with the help of the block. It is McNeal’s second blocked punt this season, with the other coming in the 49-35 loss to No. 1 South Dakota State.
The Fighting Hawks will visit the Bison of North Dakota State this weekend. Kickoff between UND and NDSU is set for 2:30 p.m.
