A pair of members of the Lakeland University football team were recognized with individual awards Tuesday for their play in the Muskies' win over Concordia University Chicago on Saturday.

Punter Ben Garcia (Fr.-Ladera Ranch, Calif.) was named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference's Special Teams player of the week Tuesday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Shamond Oliver (So.-Phenix City, Ala.) was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week, as part of the national website's weekly all-star list honoring the top players nationally across NCAA Division III at each position from the previous week.

Garcia received NACC weekly honors for the first time in his career after his best day of the season Saturday. In the Muskies' 17-9 win over Concordia Chicago, Garcia punted five times for an average of 35.4 yards per kick. He unleashed his longest punt of the season of 58 yards, and also placed three of his five punts inside the CUC 15-yard line, including two punts inside the Cougars' 5-yard line.

A fourth Garcia punt turned into a turnover after a muff was recovered by Parker Giese (So.-West Bend, Wis.), who also downed both Garcia punts inside the 5. The plays all proved crucial in a game where the Muskies scored just one touchdown offensively and received all 11 of their second half points from defense and special teams.

Garcia for the season has punted 20 times for an average of 32.2 yards per kick. Four of the freshman's punts have been downed inside the 20. He is the second Lakeland player to be named the conference's special teams player of the week this year, after Jesus Garcia (Fr.-El Paso, Texas) received the honor three weeks earlier.

Oliver also received his first-ever D3football.com award after a big day for the Lakeland defense, leading the team with eight tackles (seven solo, one assisted), including three tackles for loss. He also broke up one pass and intercepted another, with the turnover leading to the Muskies' lone offensive touchdown. Oliver also added a forced fumble on a third down play early in the fourth quarter that forced Concordia to settle for a field goal.

Oliver has had back-to-back big games, having also posted nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble the week before against Wisconsin Lutheran College. For the season he is now Lakeland's leading tackler with 42 tackles (36 solo, six assisted), is tied for third on the team with five TFLs and also is tied for the team lead with two interceptions.

Oliver is the first Muskie to be named to the D3football.com Team of the Week in nearly a calendar year, since former linebacker Agustin Diaz received the honor last year on Oct. 18, 2022.

Lakeland (3-4 overall, 2-3 NACC) goes on the road this week to take on Benedictine University, with kickoff in Lisle, Ill., set for 1 p.m.

NACC weekly awards release
Complete D3football.com Team of the Week