Posted: Nov 17, 2022
GLIAC -- The 2022 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) football postseason awards have been announced, following a vote by the league's coaches.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Caleb Murphy, Ferris State
Ferris State University senior defensive end Caleb Murphy has had a dominant season for the defending NCAA Division II National Champion Bulldogs. Murphy currently leads the country in total sacks with 18 (-136 yards) this year along with tackles for loss with 27 (-153 yards). In addition, he’s forced a pair of fumbles while playing a pivotal role on one of the nation’s top defensive units. The returning All-America honoree has claimed the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honor three times this year and also been tabbed as the National Defensive Player of the Week this fall. His play helped FSU secure the #2 seed in Super Region Three and earn the program’s eighth consecutive NCAA Division II Playoff berth following a 9-1 regular-season.
OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR
Cade Peterson, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior quarterback Cade Peterson has been named the 2022 GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year. Peterson guided GVSU to the 2022 GLIAC Championship and the 10th undefeated regular-season (11-0) in program history. He has completed 135-of-221 passes for 2,076 yards and 16 TDs, while rushing for 456 yards and seven TDs. Peterson led the GLIAC in total offense (230.2 ypg), pass efficiency rating (162.1), yards per pass attempt (9.39) and yards per pass completion (15.3), while guiding an offense that led the league in first downs (256), rushing offense (241.1), scoring offense (41.7), time of possession (32:13), total offense (466.7) and redzone offense (.927). Peterson, a 2022 Harlon Hill Award nominee, was named the GLIAC Player of the Week twice during the 2022 campaign and has now earned the honor five times during his career. He turned in a GVSU and GLIAC record-setting performance at Michigan Tech, completing 18-of-19 passes for 304 yards and two TDs. His 94.7 percent completion percentage set a GLIAC and GVSU single-game record. In addition, Peterson rushed for 64 yards for 368 yards of total offense versus the Huskies. Peterson has passed for 4,752 yards and 47 TDs, while rushing for 1,171 yards and 15 TDs in his career, becoming just the fourth QB in program history to reach the 1,000-yard rushing and 4,000-yard passing mark.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
Quinton Barrow, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State senior offensive tackle Quinton Barrow has been named the 2022 GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year. Barrow, who guided GVSU to the 2022 GLIAC Championship and the 10th undefeated regular-season (11-0) in program history, is a key figure in a Laker offense that leads the GLIAC in first downs (256), rushing offense (241.1), scoring offense (41.7), time of possession (32:13), total offense (466.7), redzone offense (.927) and team passing efficiency (163.04). The Laker offense has scored 40 or more points seven times in 2022, including five consecutive games to end the regular season. Barrow, who has been selected to participate in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl, graded out at a 94.7 percent blocking efficiency overall during the 2022 regular-season. GVSU, which rushed for 2,652 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2022, averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt. A three-year starter and All-GLIAC performer, Barrow is a 2022 Gene Upshaw Award nominee as the top interior lineman in the country.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
Christian McCarroll, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior defensive end Christian McCarroll has been named the 2022 GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year. McCarroll played a key role in a GVSU defense that led the Lakers to the 2022 GLIAC Championship and the 10th undefeated regular-season (11-0) in program history. An All-American candidate, McCarroll tallied 29 total tackles (13 solo/16 assisted), 11.5 tackles for loss (-54), 4.0 quarterback sacks (-30), nine QB hurries, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He was the leader of a defense that led the nation in points allowed per game (10.3) and ranked among the national leaders and led the GLIAC in rushing defense (64.9 ypg), first downs allowed (154), redzone defense (.667) and total defense (264.1). GVSU recorded 82 tackles for loss (-337), 36 QB sacks (-233), 61 QB hurries and 59 pass break-ups behind the play of McCarroll. GVSU limited opponents to just 13.5 first downs per game, including five that were held under 10 firsts downs in a game. McCarroll recorded 7.0 tackles, 2.0 TFL (-15), 1.0 QB sacks (-14) versus Saginaw Valley State and was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week with a three tackles, 3.0 TFL (-18), 1.0 QB sacks (-4) and a forced fumble at Wayne State. As a position group, the Lakers’ defensive line was among most dominant in the country, recording 60 QB hurries, 42.0 tackles for loss (-191) and 23 QB sacks (-145).
DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR
Abe Swanson, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior linebacker Abe Swanson has been named the 2022 GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year. Swanson played a key role in a GVSU defense that led the Lakers to the 2022 GLIAC Championship and the 10th undefeated regular-season (11-0) in program history. Swanson, an All-American candidate, tallied 73 tackles (29 solo/44 assisted), 7.0 tackles for loss (-25), 2.5 quarterback sacks (-11), picked off one pass, recovered a fumble, forced a fumble and recorded seven QB hurries in 2022. He was the leader of a defense that led the nation in points allowed per game (10.3) and ranked among the national leaders and led the GLIAC in rushing defense (64.9 ypg), first downs allowed (154), redzone defense (.667) and total defense (264.1). GVSU recorded 82 tackles for loss (-337), 36 QB sacks (-233), 61 QB hurries and 59 pass break-ups behind the play of Swanson. GVSU limited opponents to just 13.5 first downs per game, including five that were held under 10 firsts downs in a game. Swanson was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season, once after recording seven tackles, 1.5 TFL (-6) and recovering a fumble at Ferris State, and a second time after his 12-tackle, 1.0 TFL (-5) and one interception performance versus Saginaw Valley State. Abe has been named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week five times in his career.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Caleb Murphy, Ferris State
Ferris State University senior defensive end Caleb Murphy has had a dominant season for the defending NCAA Division II National Champion Bulldogs. Murphy currently leads the country in total sacks with 18 (-136 yards) this year along with tackles for loss with 27 (-153 yards). In addition, he’s forced a pair of fumbles while playing a pivotal role on one of the nation’s top defensive units. The returning All-America honoree has claimed the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honor three times this year and also been tabbed as the National Defensive Player of the Week this fall. His play helped FSU secure the #2 seed in Super Region Three and earn the program’s eighth consecutive NCAA Division II Playoff berth following a 9-1 regular-season.
OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR
Cade Peterson, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior quarterback Cade Peterson has been named the 2022 GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year. Peterson guided GVSU to the 2022 GLIAC Championship and the 10th undefeated regular-season (11-0) in program history. He has completed 135-of-221 passes for 2,076 yards and 16 TDs, while rushing for 456 yards and seven TDs. Peterson led the GLIAC in total offense (230.2 ypg), pass efficiency rating (162.1), yards per pass attempt (9.39) and yards per pass completion (15.3), while guiding an offense that led the league in first downs (256), rushing offense (241.1), scoring offense (41.7), time of possession (32:13), total offense (466.7) and redzone offense (.927). Peterson, a 2022 Harlon Hill Award nominee, was named the GLIAC Player of the Week twice during the 2022 campaign and has now earned the honor five times during his career. He turned in a GVSU and GLIAC record-setting performance at Michigan Tech, completing 18-of-19 passes for 304 yards and two TDs. His 94.7 percent completion percentage set a GLIAC and GVSU single-game record. In addition, Peterson rushed for 64 yards for 368 yards of total offense versus the Huskies. Peterson has passed for 4,752 yards and 47 TDs, while rushing for 1,171 yards and 15 TDs in his career, becoming just the fourth QB in program history to reach the 1,000-yard rushing and 4,000-yard passing mark.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
Quinton Barrow, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State senior offensive tackle Quinton Barrow has been named the 2022 GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year. Barrow, who guided GVSU to the 2022 GLIAC Championship and the 10th undefeated regular-season (11-0) in program history, is a key figure in a Laker offense that leads the GLIAC in first downs (256), rushing offense (241.1), scoring offense (41.7), time of possession (32:13), total offense (466.7), redzone offense (.927) and team passing efficiency (163.04). The Laker offense has scored 40 or more points seven times in 2022, including five consecutive games to end the regular season. Barrow, who has been selected to participate in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl, graded out at a 94.7 percent blocking efficiency overall during the 2022 regular-season. GVSU, which rushed for 2,652 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2022, averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt. A three-year starter and All-GLIAC performer, Barrow is a 2022 Gene Upshaw Award nominee as the top interior lineman in the country.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
Christian McCarroll, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior defensive end Christian McCarroll has been named the 2022 GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year. McCarroll played a key role in a GVSU defense that led the Lakers to the 2022 GLIAC Championship and the 10th undefeated regular-season (11-0) in program history. An All-American candidate, McCarroll tallied 29 total tackles (13 solo/16 assisted), 11.5 tackles for loss (-54), 4.0 quarterback sacks (-30), nine QB hurries, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He was the leader of a defense that led the nation in points allowed per game (10.3) and ranked among the national leaders and led the GLIAC in rushing defense (64.9 ypg), first downs allowed (154), redzone defense (.667) and total defense (264.1). GVSU recorded 82 tackles for loss (-337), 36 QB sacks (-233), 61 QB hurries and 59 pass break-ups behind the play of McCarroll. GVSU limited opponents to just 13.5 first downs per game, including five that were held under 10 firsts downs in a game. McCarroll recorded 7.0 tackles, 2.0 TFL (-15), 1.0 QB sacks (-14) versus Saginaw Valley State and was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week with a three tackles, 3.0 TFL (-18), 1.0 QB sacks (-4) and a forced fumble at Wayne State. As a position group, the Lakers’ defensive line was among most dominant in the country, recording 60 QB hurries, 42.0 tackles for loss (-191) and 23 QB sacks (-145).
DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR
Abe Swanson, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior linebacker Abe Swanson has been named the 2022 GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year. Swanson played a key role in a GVSU defense that led the Lakers to the 2022 GLIAC Championship and the 10th undefeated regular-season (11-0) in program history. Swanson, an All-American candidate, tallied 73 tackles (29 solo/44 assisted), 7.0 tackles for loss (-25), 2.5 quarterback sacks (-11), picked off one pass, recovered a fumble, forced a fumble and recorded seven QB hurries in 2022. He was the leader of a defense that led the nation in points allowed per game (10.3) and ranked among the national leaders and led the GLIAC in rushing defense (64.9 ypg), first downs allowed (154), redzone defense (.667) and total defense (264.1). GVSU recorded 82 tackles for loss (-337), 36 QB sacks (-233), 61 QB hurries and 59 pass break-ups behind the play of Swanson. GVSU limited opponents to just 13.5 first downs per game, including five that were held under 10 firsts downs in a game. Swanson was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season, once after recording seven tackles, 1.5 TFL (-6) and recovering a fumble at Ferris State, and a second time after his 12-tackle, 1.0 TFL (-5) and one interception performance versus Saginaw Valley State. Abe has been named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week five times in his career.
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Carson Gulker, Ferris State
Ferris State University redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Gulker has had a big fall for the Bulldogs. Gulker currently ranks among the national leaders with 22 rushing touchdowns this fall and 132 total points, averaging 13.2 points per game while leading the defending national champions in both categories. The talented signal caller ranks as one of the country’s leading rushing quarterbacks with a team-high 738 yards to date on 137 carries while splitting time at the offensive controls in 10 games, helping FSU to a 9-1 overall regular-season mark. Gulker has also completed 41-of-70 throws for 691 yards and four scores this fall. HIs play has helped the Bulldogs secure the number two overall seed in Super Region Three as FSU claimed its eighth consecutive NCAA Division II Playoff berth.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Sparky McEwen, Davenport
Sparky McEwen has guided one of the best turnarounds in NCAA Division II this season. He has taken the Panthers from 3-8 a year ago into an 8-2 team and a NCAA Division II playoff participant for the first time in the short history of Davenport football. The Panthers set a season record with eight wins and began the season with an 8-0 record before finishing the season with two of the premier opponents not only regionally but nationally. Davenport reached as high as 13th nationally after that 8-0 start and had never been nationally ranked until this season. Davenport turned it around with a revamped offense that put up big numbers at times this season. Last season, Davenport averaged under 10 points per game and so far this season that average is up to 32.9 points per game. His squad had the top passing offense in the conference (249.9 yards per game). The defense also posted some impressive numbers ranking seventh nationally and first in the GLIAC in takeaways with 26. The pass defense was also a highlight ranking 11th nationally and first in the conference allowing 154.2 yards per game.
A complete list of the 2022 All-GLIAC football teams is below:
| 2022 ALL-GLIAC FIRST TEAM | ||||
| Offense | ||||
| Position | Name | School | Yr. | Hometown |
| QB | Cade Peterson | Grand Valley State | Jr. | Maple City, Mich. |
| RB | Tariq Reid | Grand Valley State | Jr. | Davison, Mich. |
| RB | Tyshon King | Northern Michigan | Jr. | Kankakee, Ill. |
| RB | Kendall Williams | Wayne State | R-Jr. | Farmington Hills, Mich. |
| HB | CJ Jefferson | Ferris State | Jr. | Muskegon, Mich. |
| WR | Jahdae Walker | Grand Valley State | So. | Cleveland, Ohio |
| WR | Tyrese Hunt-Thompson | Ferris State | So. | Cassopolis, Mich. |
| WR | Sy Barnett | Davenport | Gr. | Williamston, Mich. |
| WR | Darius Willis | Michigan Tech | So. | Warren, Mich. |
| OL | Quinton Barrow | Grand Valley State | Sr. | Romulus, Mich. |
| OL | Adam Sieler | Ferris State | Sr. | Pinckney, Mich. |
| OL | Hayden Huttula | Michigan Tech | Sr. | Hartland, Mich. |
| OL | Jordan Davis | Grand Valley State | Jr. | Detroit, Mich. |
| OL | Garrett Carroll | Grand Valley State | Jr. | Fort Wayne, Ind. |
| OL | Blake Bustard | Wayne State | R-So. | Muskegon, Mich. |
| PK | Brandon Gielow | Davenport | So. | Leesburg, Fla. |
| Defense | ||||
| DL | Caleb Murphy | Ferris State | Jr. | Dowagiac, Mich. |
| DL | Christian McCarroll | Grand Valley State | Jr. | Barberton, Ohio |
| DL | Jordan Jones | Ferris State | Sr. | Redford, Mich. |
| DL | Victor Nelson | Saginaw Valley State | So. | Detroit, Mich. |
| DL | Austin Alward | Davenport | R-So. | Middleville, Mich. |
| LB | Abe Swanson | Grand Valley State | Jr. | St. Charles, Ill. |
| LB | Trevor Nowaske | Saginaw Valley State | Sr. | Canton, Mich. |
| LB | Marc Sippel | Michigan Tech | So. | Wausau, Wis. |
| LB | Konnor Near | Ferris State | So. | St. Johns, Mich. |
| LB | Damon Wesley | Grand Valley State | Sr. | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| DB | Nick Whiteside | Saginaw Valley State | Sr. | Auburn Hills, Mich. |
| DB | Sidney McCloud | Ferris State | Sr. | Miramar, Fla. |
| DB | Shaq Floyd | Davenport | Sr. | Orlando, Fla. |
| DB | Nyzier Fourqurean | Grand Valley State | So. | Mentor, Ohio |
| DB | Cyntell Williams | Ferris State | Sr. | Battle Creek, Mich. |
| SP | Marcus Taylor | Ferris State | Sr. | Orlando, Fla. |
| P | Trace Hrgich | Grand Valley State | R-Fr. | Wheaton, Ill. |
| 2022 ALL-GLIAC SECOND TEAM | ||||
| Offense | ||||
| Position | Name | School | Yr. | Hometown |
| QB | Jason Whittaker | Davenport | Gr. | Rockford, Mich. |
| RB | Caleef Jenkins | Davenport | R-Jr. | River Rouge, Mich. |
| RB | Isaiah Malcome | Saginaw Valley State | Sr. | Atlanta, Ga. |
| RB | Myren Harris | Wayne State | R-So. | Clinton Twp., Mich. |
| HB | Jayk Slager | Grand Valley State | Sr. | Zeeland, Mich. |
| WR | Derrick Hinton Jr. | Saginaw Valley State | Jr. | Auburn, Mich. |
| WR | Preston Smith | Davenport | So. | Sterling Heights, Mich. |
| WR | Jaylon Tillman | Grand Valley State | So. | Plainfield, Ill. |
| WR | Casey Williams | Saginaw Valley State | Sr. | Lansing, Mich. |
| OL | Gabe Brown | Grand Valley State | So. | Grand Rapids, Mich. |
| OL | Marcellus Anderson | Saginaw Valley State | Jr. | Culver, Ind. |
| OL | Jake Witt | Northern Michigan | Sr. | Bruce Crossing, Mich. |
| OL | Dwight Harris | Davenport | R-So. | Miami, Fla. |
| OL | Savon Simmons | Davenport | Gr. | Fayetteville, Ga. |
| OL | Bryce George | Ferris State | R-Fr. | Detroit, Mich. |
| PK | Griffin Milovanski | Wayne State | R-So. | Saugatuck, Mich. |
| Defense | ||||
| DL | Colton Hyble | Grand Valley State | Jr. | Mount Pleasant, Mich. |
| DL | John McMullen | Northern Michigan | Sr. | Kankakee, Ill. |
| DL | Jacob Dorn | Saginaw Valley State | Jr. | St. Johns, Mich. |
| DL | Malik Barrow | Davenport | Gr. | Tampa, Fla. |
| DL | Jack Gilchrist | Grand Valley State | So. | Mason, Mich. |
| LB | Julius Wilkerson | Wayne State | R-Sr. | Mequon, Wis. |
| LB | Elysee Mbem-Bosse | Davenport | Gr. | Ellenwood, Ga. |
| LB | Major Dedmond | Ferris State | Jr. | Freeport, Ill. |
| LB | Payton Mitchell | Davenport | Sr. | Gillroy, Calif. |
| LB | Micah Cretsinger | Saginaw Valley State | So. | Jackson, Mich. |
| DB | Terez Reid | Grand Valley State | R-Fr. | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| DB | Braxton Blackwell | Michigan Tech | Sr. | South Lyon, Mich. |
| DB | Michael Woolridge | Saginaw Valley State | So. | Walled Lake, Mich. |
| DB | Drake Reid | Wayne State | R-Jr. | Rochester Hills, Mich. |
| DB | Tavion McCarthy | Northern Michigan | Jr. | Gurnee, Ill. |
| SP | Roy Livingstone | Davenport | Sr. | Miami, Fla. |
| P | Daniel Riser | Northern Michigan | Sr. | Ada, Mich. |
| 2022 ALL-GLIAC HONORABLE MENTION | ||||
| Position | Name | School | Yr. | Hometown |
| OL | Trent Allen | Davenport | Fr. | Windemere, Fla. |
| DB | Jalen Robinson | Davenport | Sr. | Detroit, Mich. |
| DB | Marshall Brooks | Davenport | Sr. | Flint, Mich. |
| TE | Justin Pope | Davenport | Gr. | Beaufort, S.C. |
| DL | Brendan Boman | Davenport | Gr. | Grand Rapids, Mich. |
| DB | Ade Kilpatrick | Ferris State | Sr. | Plano, Texas |
| DL | Olarere Oladipo | Ferris State | Sr. | Huntley, Ill. |
| DE | Ian Hall | Ferris State | Jr. | Wyoming, Mich. |
| OL | Brendan Bengtsson | Ferris State | Jr. | Bradenton, Fla. |
| OL | Giovanni Agazzi | Ferris State | Jr. | Livonia, Mich. |
| OL | Joel Linden | Grand Valley State | Jr. | Flint, Mich. |
| RB | Jack Provencher | Grand Valley State | Sr. | Shelby Twp., Mich. |
| DL | Seth Hoonhorst | Grand Valley State | Jr. | Hudsonville, Mich. |
| DL | Nate Umlor | Grand Valley State | Sr. | Allendale, Mich. |
| DB | Antonio Strong | Grand Valley State | Sr. | Grand Rapids, Mich. |
| DL | Austin Schlicht | Michigan Tech | So. | Oxford, Mich. |
| QB | Will Ark | Michigan Tech | Sr. | Green Bay, Wis. |
| WR | Brandon Michalak | Michigan Tech | So. | Macomb, Mich. |
| LB/DL | Josh Cribben | Michigan Tech | So. | De Pere, Wis. |
| LB | Hunter Buechel | Michigan Tech | So. | Lake Mills, Wis. |
| DB | DJ Hutcherson | Northern Michigan | Sr. | Leesburg, Va. |
| DB | Antonio Howard Jr. | Northern Michigan | Jr. | Chicago, Ill. |
| QB | Zach Keen | Northern Michigan | So. | Shelby Twp., Mich. |
| OL | Maguire Palicke | Northern Michigan | So. | Utica, Mich. |
| WR | Brenden Sersaw | Northern Michigan | R-So. | Clare, Mich. |
| QB | Andrew Brito | Saginaw Valley State | Sr. | Rutherford, N.J. |
| OL | Connor Cracchiolo | Saginaw Valley State | So. | Richmond, Mich. |
| CB | Cameron Mitchell | Saginaw Valley State | Sr. | Utica, Mich. |
| DL | Leonard Henry IV | Saginaw Valley State | So. | Flint, Mich. |
| DL | Nathan Talakai | Saginaw Valley State | Sr. | Redwood City, Calif. |
| LB | Matt Buschman | Wayne State | Gr. | Brighton, Mich. |
| TE | Nick Poterack | Wayne State | Gr. | Byron Center, Mich. |
| DE | Jacob Mass | Wayne State | R-Sr. | Lapeer, Mich. |
| DT | Charles Ellington III | Wayne State | R-Sr. | Dayton, Ohio |
| DB | Elijah Fowlkes | Wayne State | Fr. | Cleveland, Ohio |
