BAY CITY, Mich. -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 8 of the 2017 football season. Ferris State University senior quarterback Reggie Bell earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Davenport sophomore cornerback Brian Williams captured GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors along with Northwood sophomore kicker David Riser who claimed GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Reggie Bell, Ferris State
Ferris State University senior quarterback Reggie Bell returned to the lineup in a big way as he lifted the Bulldogs to a thrilling 28-27 comeback victory over archrival and nationally seventh-ranked Grand Valley State in the Anchor-Bone Classic on national television Saturday before a crowd of nearly 8,000 fans at Top Taggart Field. Bell, who had not played since week two, ran for a team-high 91 yards on 20 carries and scored the final FSU touchdown on a two-yard run with only 15 seconds to play despite being knocked out of the contest twice earlier in the second half. He also completed 15-of-29 throws for 228 yards which also included a long 36-yard completion to Dion Earls on the game-winning dirve that put FSU inside the five-yard line. Bell rallied the Bulldogs from a 14-3 halftime deficit. Along with the two TD runs, he also directed FSU on three other scoring drives and setup the only other FSU TD before giving way to Jevon Shaw for a one-yard scoring run. His play helped FSU roll up 427 yards of total offense in the battle of West Michigan rivals.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Brian Williams, Davenport
Davenport sophomore cornerback Brian Williams set a school-record with three interceptions (56 return yards) at Northwood in a double-overtime loss. Williams ended the first two drives with a pick and also returned one 42 yards in the fourth quarter which led to the then go-ahead touchdown. Williams also tallied six tackles including two tackles for loss. Despite the loss, Williams was part of a Panther defense that allowed just 217 yards of total offense on the road.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK - David Riser, Northwood
Northwood sophomore kicker David Riser posted a career day for Northwood in the Timberwolves 33-30 double overtime win against Davenport, going 4-4 on field goals and 3-3 on extra points. Three of his four field goals came late in the win: he tied the game in the final seconds, connecting on a 41-yard attempt with two seconds remaining to force overtime. Riser then made two field goals in overtime - making a 34-yard attempt on the first possession of overtime before connecting on the game-winning kick from 36-yards away to close out the win.
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE: Andrew Vaughn (AU), Nick Watson (TU), Haiden Majewski (DU), Joe Garbarino (NU), John Williams (MTU), Ryan Johnson (NMU), Chad Gailliard (SVSU), Brandon Bean (GVSU), Romello Brown (WSU)
DEFENSE: James Prater Jr. (AU), Brandon Burks (TU), Nick Tripp (NU), Marvin Wright (MTU), Darryl Williams (NMU), Tavierre Thomas (FSU), Collin Schlosser (GVSU), Jack Jennings (SVSU), Anthony Pittman (WSU)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Aidan Simenc (AU), Harry McCollum (TU), Jacob Wenzlick (MTU), Wyatt Ford (FSU), Dalton Ray (NMU), Brandon Wadley (GVSU), Drew Franklin (SVSU), Paul Graham (WSU)
Follow the action on Twitter @GLIACsports and use the hashtag #GLIACFB
