SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- South Dakota linebacker Blake Hojer has been named the North Central Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week, according to an announcement by the North Central Conference office on Monday.

Hojer, a sophomore from Lake Preston, S.D., collected nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and a quarterback sack to lead the 11th-ranked South Dakota Football Team (3-0, 1-0 NCC) to a 27-14 win over Minnesota-Duluth (2-1, 0-1 NCC) in the NCC opener on Saturday at the DakotaDome before 6,133 in attendance.

Hojer had five solo stops, four assists and his fumble recovery occurred on UMD's first possession, fiving USD possession at the Bulldogs' 29-yard line. On the following UMD possession, Hojer's quarterback sack for a -10 yards was on a 3rd and one play and ended the Bulldogs' drive. Hojer was a key fixture on a Coyote defense that held UMD to just 70 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Hojer and his teammates are leading the NCC by allowing just 41.3 rushing yards and 6.7 points per game this season.

For the second time this year, a USD defensive player has earned All-NCC weekly honors. Jordan Davis was named Player of the Week on Sept. 5.

Next for the Coyotes is a game with St. Cloud State (3-0, 0-0 NCC) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud, Minn.