GRAND FORKS, N.D – Fresh off its first 2-0 start since 2015, the No. 14 University of North Dakota football team picked up its third weekly league award on Sunday evening, as redshirt freshman linebacker Josh Navratil was named the conference's newcomer of the week. This award is presented weekly to any freshman, redshirt freshman or first-year transfer player.
 
Making his first-career start in the contest against No. 3 South Dakota State, Navratil was all over the field in the win over the Jacks. The Pine Island, Minn., native finished tied for second on the team with five tackles, including 1.5 behind the line of scrimmage. He also came up with his first solo sack of his collegiate career in the fourth quarter on a third-down play to keep the Fighting Hawks in front.
 
 Navratil's biggest play may have come on special teams, however, as he pounced on a loose football following a blocked punt by Ty Shannon to give UND the ball at the SDSU 18 late in the third quarter. Just two plays later, quarterback Tommy Schuster hit wide receiver Garett Maag in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead score.
 
This is the third weekly conference award for the Fighting Hawks through two games, with Navratil joining Devon Krzanowski (defensive) and Nathan Nguon (offensive lineman) in earning the honors. The league will announce this week's offensive lineman of the week award on Monday.
 
North Dakota will also find out its poll position in the STATS FCS Poll on Monday.
 
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