LINCOLN, Neb. - The Nebraska Wesleyan football team saw freshman wide receiver / kick returner Ian Gebhardt recognized by the American Conference on Nov. 9. Gebhardt was named as the league's Special Teams Player of the Week.

Gebhardt had a game-changing play with his 88-yard kickoff return touchdown with the team trailing 42-24 midway through the fourth quarter at home against Simpson to spark a comeback. It was Gebhardt's second kickoff return touchdown of the season and his third return touchdown in three consecutive weeks, including a punt return score. It is the seventh longest kickoff return in school history.  Gebhardt leads the Prairie Wolves with an average of 25.37 yards per kickoff return on 30 attempts. He ranks tied for first nationally in NCAA Division III with two kickoff return touchdowns and fourth nationally in NCAA Division III in all-purpose yards per game (182.50) and fourth in combined kick return yards (878).

This is Gebhardt's third straight week and third career Special Teams Player of the Week honor. Gebhardt also has a national D3football.com Team of the Week recognition following his performance on Oct. 24 vs. Loras. 

Nebraska Wesleyan Weekly American Rivers Honors
Sept. 14 – Jace Winkler – Special Teams Player of the Week
Sept. 21 - Levi Murphey - Offensive Player of the Week
Oct. 26 – Ian Gebhardt – Special Teams Player of the Week
Oct. 26 - Owen Long - Defensive Player of the Week
Nov. 2 – Ian Gebhardt – Special Teams Player of the Week
Nov. 9 – Ian Gebhardt – Special Teams Player of the Week

Nebraska Wesleyan will travel to Buena Vista on Saturday at 1:00 PM for their season finale.