Smith, Paulsen Earn GPAC Weekly Honors
Morningside quarterback Tyler Smith and punter Luke Paulsen were both recognized as GPAC Players of the Week after last week's game against Midland.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
Morningside quarterback Tyler Smith earned GPAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after passing for 266 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 67 yards and one touchdown. Punter Luke Paulsen earned GPAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, and Alex Wilcoxson earned dual GPAC men's basketball player of the week honors.
Why it matters
The recognitions highlight standout individual performances from the Morningside program as the team continues its conference schedule. The honors also spotlight contributions from both football and men's basketball athletes across the Sioux City school.
Smith's 205.9 QB rating and 266 passing yards with four touchdowns anchored Morningside's offense, while Paulsen averaged 40.5 yards per punt. Wilcoxson, who scored 31 points in the upset of NAIA No. 1 Grace, averaged 19.5 points per game and shot 66.7 percent from three-point range.
The players
Tyler Smith
Morningside junior quarterback from Sergeant Bluff who was named GPAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Luke Paulsen
Morningside senior punter from Moville, Iowa who was named GPAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Alex Wilcoxson
Morningside men's basketball player from Gretna, Neb. who earned dual GPAC player of the week honors.
The details
Smith, a junior from Sergeant Bluff, accounted for more than 300 yards of offense in the win over Midland. Paulsen, a senior from Moville, Iowa, ran a trick play for 23 yards on 4th and 11 and had three touches in the game. Wilcoxson, from Gretna, Neb., had eight steals, six rebounds and a block across a pair of contests.
Timeline
Last week: Morningside played Midland, and Smith and Paulsen earned their honors.
Saturday, Nov. 7: Morningside travels to Hastings.
Season Trajectory
Weekly conference honors like these recognize individual performances that can shape a team's standing as the GPAC season moves toward its conclusion. Both Smith and Wilcoxson's recognitions come as Morningside continues to compete within a conference schedule that includes road games such as the upcoming trip to Hastings.
Smith's 266-yard, four-touchdown game and Paulsen's special teams recognition give Morningside fantasy and roster-watch context heading into its next contest at Hastings. Fans tracking the team can use the Saturday, Nov. 7 road game as the next checkpoint for how these performances carry forward.
The takeaway
Strong individual performances across football and basketball helped Morningside earn multiple conference honors this week. Tracking how these players perform on the road at Hastings will show whether the momentum carries forward.
What happens next
Morningside travels to Hastings on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Further reading
For more on the local college scene, see Football coverage across Sioux City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sioux City Journal.
