Standing by in sports, Wed., Nov. 25

Ellefson seeing more snaps

Former Hawley Nugget and North Dakota State University tight end Ben Ellefson continues to get more action with the Jacksonville Jaguars in his rookie season. Last Sunday, Ellefson was targeted three times; he had one catch for 10 yards for the Jags in a 27-3 loss at home to Pittsburgh. Ellefson played a career-high 38 snaps in the game.

His catch was his second reception from scrimmage this season, but first official reception. He also has a two-point conversion catch.

Ellefson has also taken special teams snaps including kickoff return and more recently punt protection.

The Jaguars promoted Ellefson twice from the practice squad before he found his current roster spot. He had been active the first two games, but did not record any statistics after being signed as an undrafted free agent.

Vikes fans hope for Thielen’s return

After putting up his best numbers of the season in a loss to Dallas, Adam Thielen was immediately put on the COVID-19 reserve list. C.J. Ham was on the list last week but cleared in time to play Sunday versus the Cowboys.

Thielen has proved to be the leader of the Vikings’ wide receiver corps and with rookie Justin Jefferson has taken much of the sting out of losing Stefon Diggs.

Diggs is near the top of the receiving statistics in the NFL. Diggs is second in the league in receiving yards with 73 catches for 906 yards and four TDs. Diggs’ production is due to him getting opportunities. He’s second in the NFL with 101 targets, behind only Keenan Allen of the Chargers.

Thielen sits alone as best in the NFL in the end zone with 11 touchdown receptions. He has made 49 catches for 646 yards on 25 less targets than Diggs with 76.

Jefferson is in the running for rookie of the year with his play. He is seventh in the league with 848 yards on 45 receptions (59 targets), matching Diggs with four touchdown receptions.

Thielen and Jefferson have been favorites of quarterback Kirk Cousins. The duo's combined 135 targets is just under half of the team total of 275 and they have combined for 15 of the 20 receiving touchdowns by Vikings this year.

Thielen was the sixth Viking to be isolated on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list this season.

Huwe on BSU academic list

Former Laker lineman and two-time state wrestling runner-up James Huwe, a six-foot-two junior offensive lineman for Bemidji State University, was one of 42 Beavers named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference 2020 Fall NSIC All-Academic Team.

In all, 775 student-athletes across the NSIC were recognized, and 331 were named to the Team of Excellence.

To be eligible for the NSIC All-Academic Team, student-athletes must maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher. For the Team of Excellence, student-athletes’ GPA must be at least 3.6. For both, sophomore athletic and academic status is required, as is membership on a varsity traveling team and at least one academic year under their belt at their school.

Fredrickson to SMSU

Detroit Lakes senior Gabby Fredrickson joins former teammate Teeya Doppler as a recruit signed to a NSIC volleyball team. Fredrickson announced she will be playing next year at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Fredrickson is in a class of six recruits for the Mustangs with Kaitlyn Bingham from Oconomowoc, Wis., Saari Kuehl from Reinbeck, Iowa, Brooklyn Kusler from Aberdeen, S.D., Emma VanHeel from Otsego, Minn. and Natalie Welch from Mount Vernon, Iowa.

“We have added six players who are determined to compete for opportunities to get on the court and help our team excel as one solid unit,” SMSU head volleyball coach Terry Culhane said. “Their athleticism and willingness to improve as players certainly will be a big plus for our team. We are excited about their flexibility in the game of volleyball and what all six will bring to the Mustang program. They are excellent students and excited about being a part of the Mustang family.”

Fredrickson is a 5-foot-10 middle blocker. She is a multiple all-conference honoree and AAU volleyball Academic All-American. She is also a standout in track & field, earning all-conference accolades and academic all-state honors.

Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.