BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Michael Mehling, a senior linebacker on the #4 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (8-0), who had a career high 11 tackles in a 51-17 home win over Concordia-St. Paul on Oct. 22, has been named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Week, according to an announcement today by the league office.

Mehling becomes the sixth USF student-athlete in five weeks, including three on defense, to earn an NSIC weekly honor. He joins senior wide receiver Josh Angulo (9/26, NSIC Offensive Player of the Week), junior strong safety Jeff Harman (9/26, NSIC Defensive Player of the Week), senior cornerback Clifford Redmond (10/3, NSIC Defensive Player of the Week) junior running back Max Mickey (10/10, NSIC Offensive Player of the Week), sophomore kicker Brett Garner (10/17, Special Teams Player of the Week) as those honored by the NSIC in 2016.

Mehling, a senior from Las Vegas, Nev., earned his first career NSIC weekly honor after tying his career high with 11 tackles while registering a sack, tackle for loss and three quarterback hurries in the win over CSP. It was the fourth time this season that Mehling has recorded double digits in tackles. He was part of a USF defense, which held the Golden Bears to 73 yards rushing on 35 carries or 2.08 yards per carry.   

Through eight games, Mehling ranks fifth in the NSIC with 71 tackles and is second in the league with 44 solo stops while recording 3.5 sacks and 6.5 TFLs. He has also recorded an interception which he returned 36 yards for a TD against Minot State in the third quarter of a 41-14 road win.

Mehling is part of a USF defense that ranks third in the league in scoring defense (22.4 ppg), second in rushing defense at 106.5 yards per game and second in total defense at 378.8 yards per game.

The Cougars will travel on Saturday to face Minnesota State (6-2) at Blakeslee Stadium with a 1 p.m. kickoff.