APPLETON, Wis. -- Lawrence University football players Nick Maxam, Brian Janssen and Nate Nelson swept the Midwest Conference Player of the Week honors.
Maxam (Appleton, Wis./East) was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Janssen (Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) was the Defensive Player of the Week and Nelson (Waupaca, Wis./Waupaca) was the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Maxam, a senior quarterback, completed 11 of 18 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns in Lawrence's 21-17 nonconference victory at Minnesota-Morris this past Saturday. Maxam hit on three third-and-long situations for all three of Lawrence's scores. He connected with Nelson on a 61-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to give Lawrence a 7-0 lead. He then hit Jeremiah Johnson on a 12-yard scoring pass in the third quarter to put the Vikings up 14-10. Maxam then converted a third-and-30 when he hit Nelson with a 48-yard scoring pass that gave Lawrence the lead for good at 21-17. The three touchdown passes ties Maxam’s career high.
Janssen, a senior safety, made a game-saving interception in the final seconds at Minnesota-Morris. Janssen intercepted Morris quarterback Derrick Foss at the Lawrence 5-yard line on a second-and-goal play, and that allowed Lawrence to hold on for the victory. Janssen added seven tackles, including a tackle for loss, to go along with his second interception of the season. The Lawrence defense stopped Morris three times inside the Vikings’ 15-yard line in the final seven minutes.
Nelson, a freshman wide receivver, had a great day punting and catching the football for Lawrence in the win at Minnesota-Morris. Nelson punted six times for an average of 40.8 yards per kick, and he had a long punt of 60 yards. He also pinned the Cougars inside their 20 twice. Nelson’s performance ensured he would break the Lawrence season record for punting average. Nelson averaged 44.5 yards per punt this season, breaking the mark of 42.8 set by Ed Grosse in 1953. As a wide receiver, Nelson caught four passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
Lawrence, which finished with a 2-8 record, improved to 4-0 all-time against Morris.