GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following week eight of the 2023 football season. Ferris State redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Gulker earned offensive player of the week recognition, Davenport sophomore defensive lineman Darius Lynaum was named defensive player of the week and Grand Valley State junior receiver/returner Darrell Johnson received special teams player of the week honors.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Carson Gulker, Ferris State
Ferris State University redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Gulker had a big day for the nationally-ranked Bulldogs, accounting for all four Bulldog scores in a hard-fought 28-20 home win over Michigan Tech at Top Taggart Field. Gulker played the entire second half and led FSU to three scores in the final two periods, including a 75-yard touchdown throw to Tyrese Hunt-Thompson with only 8:44 to play to push the margin back to two scores. Gulker ran for a game-high 103 yards on 23 carries with three TD?s on the ground while completing seven-of-13 passes for 174 yards and a score. His play helped the FSU offensive total more than 400 yards in the victory, moving to 6-1 overall this season.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Darius Lynaum, Davenport
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Darrell Johnson, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior Darrell Johnson tallied 172 return yards, including an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown in the #1-ranked Lakers' 56-3 victory over Northern Michigan. Johnson's 87-yard punt return is the second-longest punt return in program history and gave GVSU a 7-0 lead. In addition, Johnson added 84 kickoff return yards for his 172 return yards. He averaged 34.4 yards per return (3 punt/2 kickoff).
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE: Jairus Grissom (SVSU), Brandon Michalak (MTU), Cade Peterson (GVSU)
DEFENSE: Hunter Beuchel (MTU), Ian Hall (FSU), Abe Swanson (GVSU), Nick Whiteside (SVSU)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Brandon Gielow (DU), Derrick Hinton Jr. (SVSU), Deion Small (FSU), Drew Wyble (MTU)
Follow the action on Twitter @GLIACsports and use the hashtag #GLIACFB
