ST. LOUIS - North Dakota State middle linebacker Nick DeLuca was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week by the league office Sunday, Sept. 11.

After missing the second half of the season-opener with a shoulder separation, DeLuca returned to the NDSU lineup to make a game-high 15 tackles in the 50-44 overtime win over eighth-ranked Eastern Washington.

DeLuca, a senior from Omaha, Neb., scored on a 40-yard interception return – his sixth career pick – midway through the fourth quarter to give NDSU a 10-point lead.

North Dakota State (2-0) plays its final non-conference game at Iowa (2-0) this Saturday, Sept. 17.  Game time is 11 a.m. on ESPN2.