GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following the opening weekend of the 2018 football season. Saginaw Valley junior quarterback Ryan Conklin earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Ferris State junior defensive back DeShaun Thrower captured GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition along with Michigan Tech freshman kicker Eric Zeboor who claimed GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades in his collegiate debut.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ryan Conklin - Saginaw Valley

Saginaw Valley junior quarterback Ryan Conklin led the Cardinals to a season-opening victory at home over Alderson Broaddus, 45-7. Conklin connected on 25-of-34 passes (73.5%) for 303 yards, a career-high four touchdowns and no interceptions. He hit a total of nine different receivers while the Cardinals racked-up 550 yards of total offense.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DeShaun Thrower - Ferris State

Ferris State University junior defensive back DeShaun Thrower had an impressive season-opening debut in the Bulldogs' decisive 49-17 triumph over East Stroudsburg on Thursday (Aug. 31) night at Top Taggart Field. A two-sport standout, Thrower made his first career start and scored on a 51-yard fumble recovery return in the game while also adding an interception. He finished with four tackles and helped the FSU defense limit the Warriors to less than 300 total yards and only 37 yards rushing on 30 carries.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Eric Zeboor - Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech kicker Eric Zeboor made his collegiate debut as a true freshman Thursday night for the Huskies, going 2-for-2 in both field goals (21 and 20 yards) and extra points. Zeboor accounted for eight of Tech's 20 points in a 20-10 road victory over Truman State. He posted his first field goal on the opening drive of the season and then sent the Huskies in front for good with his second of the night in the second quarter. On kickoffs, he averaged 65.0 yards per kick on five attempts with a pair of touchbacks. 

HONORABLE MENTION

OFFENSE: James Hill (WSU), Jacob Wenzlick (MTU), Jake Mayon (NMU), Deondre Ford (DU), Andrew Vaughn (AU), Joe Garbarino (NU), Austin Paritee (GVSU), Jayru Campbell (FSU)

DEFENSE: Tyler Bradfield (GVSU), David Still (SVSU), Leon Eggleston (WSU), Travis Tidwell (MTU), Troy Mayon (NMU), Chad Hill (DU), James Prater Jr. (AU), Travis Wiltjer (NU)

SPECIAL TEAMS: Connor Luksic (SVSU), Samson Tai (WSU), John Kwiecinski (NMU), Chris Ahmed (DU), Austin Brenner (AU), Alex Spicuzzi (NU), Jackson Dieterle (FSU)

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