LINCOLN, NEB. – Nebraska Wesleyan football's Ian Gebhardt has been named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for his performance in Week 8. Gebhardt made a major impact on special teams in the Prairie Wolves' Wesleyan Weekend 69-48 victory over Loras. The honor marks the first national recognition of his career.

Gebhardt returned his only punt of the game 85 yards for a touchdown. He also returned three kickoffs for 56 yards, including a long of 24 yards. He became the first Prairie Wolf to return a punt for a touchdown since 2019. It is the longest punt return in the American Rivers Conference this season and the longest in the conference since 2021. In addition to the return touchdown, Gebhardt also threw a TD pass and caught a TD pass in the win.

In his first season with the Prairie Wolves, Gebhardt has totaled 1,028 all-purpose yards on 59 touches and scored three receiving touchdowns. His 171.6 all-purpose yards per game ranks sixth in NCAA Division III this season.

Gebhardt was also named the American Rivers Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday.

D3football.com Team of the Week selections are based on nominations submitted by each school's sports information director.

P-WOLVES WITH D3FOOTBALL.COM HONORS THIS SEASON
9/22: Jalen Pickens, Wide Receiver
10/26: Ian Gebhardt, Returner

UP NEXT
The Prairie Wolves return to the road after a two-game homestand, traveling to Cedar Rapids to face Coe on Halloween. The Kohawks hold a 9-0 advantage in the all-time series, which will reach its 10th meeting on Saturday. Coe has averaged 49 points per game and won by an average of 22 points in the teams' last four meetings.

Kickoff from Clark Stadium is set for 1 p.m. on Oct. 31. Live coverage links are available at www.nwusports.com.