Austintown, OH - On Monday, the Ohio Athletic Conference tabbed two Heidelberg University football student-athletes as Players of the Week. Sophomore running back Cartel Brooks (Kokomo, IN/Galion) was named Offensive Player of the Week following a career game, highlighted by a 99-yard touchdown rush. Senior placekicker Dan Kilger (Novi, MI) was named Special Teams Player of the Week after he connected on six extra points and notched four touchbacks on kickoffs.
For Brooks, this is the second OAC Player of the Week honor for his career. In a 56-2 victory at Wilmington, he rushed for a career-high 227 yards on 20 carries. Brooks found the end zone three times, also a career high.
"Cartel is an amazing young man," said sixth-year head coach Mike Hallett. "He's seeing the field exceptionally well and has been very decisive with his cuts."
Through the first three games of the season, Brooks has accumulated 566 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Averaging 188 yards per game, Brooks is the third leading rusher in Division III.
Kilger receives his fifth OAC Player of the Week honor for his brief career. Kilger joined the football team just days before preseason camp in 2011. He has earned the weekly honor from the OAC in 38.5% of the contests in which he has played.
On the season, Kilger is a perfect 16 for 16 for extra points. In Week 2, he also threw for a two-point conversion on a snap that was mishandled by the holder.
"We are very fortunate to have such a steady kicker," said Hallett. "He has made an key impact for us."
Heidelberg is 3-0, 2-0 on the season and is ranked in the American Football Coaches Association Top-25 Poll for the first time in the history of the program. The Student Princes sit at No. 23.
Heidelberg welcomes the Pioneers of Marietta College (0-3, 0-2) to Mayer Field on Saturday, September 29. The game will be the first home contest of the season for the Student Princes. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.