Sep. 11—MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan defensive back Landon Ruesink earned defensive player of the week honors in the Great Plains Athletic Conference for his role in the Tigers' come-from-behind win at Doane on Saturday.

Ruesink, a sophomore from Dell Rapids, made his first career interception at a crucial moment, kick-starting DWU's fourth-quarter rally with a 41-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter. He also had a hand in a second turnover of the four forced by the DWU defense against Doane, recovering a fumble (also the first of his college career) to go with four tackles in the contest.

Through three games this season, Ruesink has matched his tackle total from last season, where he appeared in all 11 games as a freshman, with 17 stops. A dual-sport athlete for the Tigers, Ruesink was an honorable mention all-GPAC pick in baseball in the spring.

DWU (2-1, 1-1 GPAC) returns to Joe Quintal Field on Saturday, Sept. 16, for its annual Blue and White Homecoming game, with the Tigers set to kick off against Midland (Neb.) at 2 p.m.