GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 3 of the 2023 football season. Grand Valley State senior quarterback Cade Peterson was honored as GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week while Lakers teammate, senior defensive end Christian McCarroll, received GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition. Michigan Tech junior punter Brenden Lach was named GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cade Peterson, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State senior quarterback Cade Peterson completed 15-of-23 passes for 237 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 60 yards and two touchdowns in the Lakers' 43-7 victory over #19 assumption. Peterson contributed 297 yards and had a hand in four of GVSU's six touchdowns. Peterson leads the GLIAC in passing yards (687) and ranks fifth in rushing yards (172) in 2023. In addition, he has accounted for 7,248 yards of total offense (5802 passing/1446 rushing) and 70 TDs in his career.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Christian McCarroll, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State senior defensive end Christian McCarroll tallied a career-high 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (-9), 1.5 quarterback sacks (-8) and two QB hurries in the Lakers' 43-7 win over #19 Assumption. McCarroll was a key figure in the Laker defense limiting the Greyhounds to 272 yards of total offense, including just 79 on the ground. McCarroll leads the GLIAC in QB sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (6.5).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brenden Lach, Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech football Junior punter Brenden Lach has been named the GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week. The honor is the first of Lach’s career. Lach had eight punts in the 24-20 win over Wis.-Platteville to hand the Pioneers their first loss of the season. The South Lyon, Michigan, native averaged 47.4 yards per punts with a long of 61 yards. Of note, four of his eight punts were inside the 20-yard line. He ranks second in Division II in punting average (48.6).
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE: Ethan Champney (MTU), Tyrese Hunt-Thompson (FSU), Eli McLean (WSU), Mike O'Horo (SVSU)
DEFENSE: Sam Ahern (MTU), Ian Hall (FSU), Brandon Rawls (SVSU), Darien Tipps-Clemons (WSU)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Manny Harris (WSU), Ryan Heicher (SVSU), Eddie Jewett (FSU), Darrell Johnson (GVSU)
