BAY CITY, Mich. -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 8 action. Ohio Dominican junior quarterback Grant Russell earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Ferris State University sophomore defensive end Zach Sieler captured GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Findlay senior Tyler Bugeja claimed GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Grant Russell, Ohio Dominican
Ohio Dominican junior quarterback Grant Russell recorded a career high in yards (384), completion percentage (88.6) and touchdowns (4) in a 38-28 road victory over Northern Michigan. Russell went 31-for-35 to record the second best completion percentage by a Division II quarterback this season and also second best in ODU single-game history. He completed his first 20 passes and amassed 428 yards of total offense which included 44 rush yards on 10 carries. Russell leads the GLIAC with 67.9 completion percentage, ranks second with 165 completions, and third with 1,917 passing yards.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Zach Sieler, Ferris State
Ferris State University sophomore defensive end Zach Sieler had a huge day in leading the FSU defense in the Bulldogs' decisive 42-10 league home win over Lake Erie. The Bulldog standout tallied 11 total tackles, including eight solo stops, while adding 7.5 tackles for loss (-31 yards) and four sacks (-21 yards). Seiler also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in the triumph. His forced fumble led to linebacker Devonte McGregor's 28-yard scoop and score early in the fourth period to account for the final FSU score. Overall, Seiler's efforts helped the Bulldogs' starting unit limit the Storm to only three points. The FSU defense also limited Lake Erie to only 83 yards rushing on 49 attempts (1.7 ypc) and they forced a pair of turnovers while compiling six sacks in the contest. His 7.5 tackles for loss broke the Top Taggart Field stadium single-game record.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Tyler Bugeja, Findlay
Findlay senior Tyler Bugeja needed to be perfect in the Oilers 27-23 win over Tiffin on Saturday and he was. He knocked in his two field-goal attempts from 36 and 32 yards. His third quarter field goal from 36 yards gave Findlay their first lead since the first quarter and he added to that lead with another on the Oilers' next possession. Bugeja also went 3-for-3 on extra point tries.
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE: Keishaun Sims (AU), Jason Moore (UF), Charles Holland (TU), Joe Reverman (HC), Max Corcoran (SVSU), Jake Mayon (NMU), James Henderson (MTU), Corey Burdgick (NU), Romello Brown (WSU), Reggie Bell (FSU), John Banyasz (LEC), Aaron Male (WU), Marty Carter (ODU)
DEFENSE: Aidan Simenc (AU), Timmy Mills (HC), Ryan VanGoethem (MTU), Keegan Haggarty (NU), Kyle Muller (WSU), Trevor Bermingham (FSU), Austin Baker (LEC), Jacob Maloy (WU), Justin Bonchek (ODU), Joel Schipper (GVSU), Dillon Dixon (SVSU)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Brad Fenton (UF), Adam Wallace (AU), Carrington Contee (TU), John Terry (HC), Cory Williams (MTU), Michael Fisher (NU), James Howard (WSU), Jacob Turray (LEC), Tim Cook (WU), Marquise Tyus (ODU), Sydney Omameh (GVSU), Marvin White (SVSU)
Follow the action on Twitter @GLIACsports and use the hashtag #GLIACFB
