Soul's Nyenhuis named AFL Defensive player of the Week

Gabe Nyenhuis (6-3, 270, Colorado) registered 3 1/2 tackles, 2 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass defensed and one blocked field goal as the Soul (3-0) defeated the New York Dragons (1-2), 63-42, at Wachovia Center on Sunday.

Nyenhuis spearheaded two key second quarter defensive stands that helped Philadelphia keep its lead at seven. On New York’s third possession of the second quarter, Nyenhuis recorded two sacks and two forced fumbles to secure the defensive stop and turn possession back to the Soul offense. On the Dragons next possession, Nyenhuis blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt by Dragons K CHRIS ONORATO to secure Philadelphia’s lead going into the half.

During the fourth quarter, Nyenhuis and DL BRYAN SAVE made a key tackle for loss on third down from the Soul one-yard line to force a fourth-and-goal situation.