NIU linebacker Brian Atkinson was looked upon by coach Joe Novak to pick up his leadership with fellow linebacker and team co-captain Nick Duffy out for the season.

Atkinson picked up his play and was named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. However, Novak didn’t think his play was most important to the Huskies last Saturday.

“Obviously it was one of his best games, being Player of the Week, but that comes easier to him,” Novak said. “I think his leadership was more beneficial to the team.”

Atkinson recorded eight tackles (five solo), three quarterback hurries and one sack.

Atkinson and the rest of the Huskies defense held Western Michigan to minus-2 yards rushing and contained the nation’s No. 3 ranked passing offense to 116.7 yards below its season average.

The Huskies also were represented by kicker Steve Azar this week as he was named Special Teams Player of the Week.

The Colorado Springs native surpassed Toledo’s Todd France on Saturday as the conference’s all-time leading kick scorer with 332 points.

Azar broke the record in the first quarter of the Huskies 37-10 win over WMU Saturday. In his career, he is 66-of-83 on field goals, good for 79.5 percent.

“He’s been unbelievable,” Novak said. “When he goes on the field, I probably shouldn’t do this, but I put it on the board before he even kicks it.”