KANSAS CITY, Mo. -  Lee Kirkland of Pikeville (Ky.) has been named the NAIA Football Offensive Player of the Week. Ashley Thompson from Peru State (Neb.) has been named the NAIA Football Defensive Player of the Week. Stephen Leinen of Dordt (Iowa) has been named the NAIA Football Special Teams Player of the Week.  The trio was selected based on their performances from September 25-October 1 and were chosen out of a pool of conference/Continental Athletic Conference (Independents)/unaffiliated group nominees. 

Players of the Week are announced weekly throughout the regular-season on Monday's on naia.org, Instagram and Twitter.

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NAIA Football Offensive Player of the Week

Lee Kirkland, Pikeville (Ky.) - SR - Quarterback

• Rewrote the record books last weekend as his six touchdowns tied the school record 
• His stats for completions, attempts and yards are new AAC records 
• Was 38-of-58 for 614 yards and 65.5% completion rate. 

NAIA Football Defensive Player of the Week

Ashley Thompson, Peru State (Neb.) - FR - Defensive Back

• Thompson had seven total tackles in 48-31 win over Missouri Valley 
• Recorded three interceptions two of which were returned for touchdowns. 
• Tallied 77 total interception return yards.  

NAIA Football Special Teams Player of the Week

Stephen Leinen, Dordt (Iowa) - FR - Kicker

• Converted a school record and GPAC record 58 yard field goal as time expired at the end of the first half of Dordt's 61-21 win over Hastings. 
• Added two more 47 yard field goals in the second half and was 4-4 on field goals and 7-7 on PAT. 
• He is now 19-19 this season in addition to 11 kickoffs and seven touchbacks. 

For a full archive of the 2023 NAIA Football Players of the Week, click HERE