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South Dakota State University Athletics
VAN TOL, CHRISTENSEN HONORED BY MVFC
8/31/2026 3:00:00 PM | Football
ST. LOUIS — South Dakota State's Chase Van Tol was honored Tuesday as Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week and Quinten Christensen added the league's Offensive Lineman of the Week award following their efforts in the Jackrabbits' season-opening, 70-7 home victory over Stetson.
A junior linebacker from Tea, Van Tol made the most of his limited snap count in the Aug. 29 contest, highlighted by recovering a pair of first-half fumbles. He also recorded two solo tackles, including a tackle for loss, and broke up a pass as the Jackrabbits' built a 42-0 lead at halftime.
Van Tol became the first Jackrabbit with two fumble recoveries in the same game since linebacker R.C. Kilgore in a 2013 matchup at Nebraska.
Christensen graded at 95 percent with 8.5 knockdowns in 37 offensive plays for a South Dakota State unit that rolled up 42 points and 315 yards of total offense in the first half alone. A senior left tackle from Wessington Springs, Christensen did not allow any pressures or sacks as the Jackrabbits went on to average 11.2 yards per offensive play in the game.
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The Jackrabbits moved up to No. 2 in both of this week's Football Championship Subdivision major polls and will travel to Northwestern (Ill.) on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Television coverage will be available on the Big Ten Network.
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A junior linebacker from Tea, Van Tol made the most of his limited snap count in the Aug. 29 contest, highlighted by recovering a pair of first-half fumbles. He also recorded two solo tackles, including a tackle for loss, and broke up a pass as the Jackrabbits' built a 42-0 lead at halftime.
Van Tol became the first Jackrabbit with two fumble recoveries in the same game since linebacker R.C. Kilgore in a 2013 matchup at Nebraska.
Christensen graded at 95 percent with 8.5 knockdowns in 37 offensive plays for a South Dakota State unit that rolled up 42 points and 315 yards of total offense in the first half alone. A senior left tackle from Wessington Springs, Christensen did not allow any pressures or sacks as the Jackrabbits went on to average 11.2 yards per offensive play in the game.
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The Jackrabbits moved up to No. 2 in both of this week's Football Championship Subdivision major polls and will travel to Northwestern (Ill.) on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Television coverage will be available on the Big Ten Network.
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Players Mentioned
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Sunday, August 30
Thursday, August 27
Tuesday, August 25