GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 5 of the 2024 football season. Ferris State junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was honored as GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week while Bulldog teammate junior kicker Mitchell Middleton received special teams recognition. Michigan Tech junior defensive back Dante Basanese earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Trinidad Chambliss, Ferris State
Ferris State University junior quarterback led the #5 Bulldogs to a 55-13 homecoming win over Roosevelt University on Saturday, accounting for four touchdowns in the Bulldog victory. Chambliss threw for 224 yards and three scores on 18-of-30 passing while adding 43 rushing yards on two carries for a 21.5 average and a TD in FSU’s fourth consecutive victory. The signal caller tossed a 65-yard scoring throw for the game’s opening score in the first period and came back with a 43-yard TD run early in the second frame, giving the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead they would not relinquish. He added two more TD throws as FSU pulled in front 35-10 early in the third quarter.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Dante Basanese, Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech junior defensive back Dante Basanese, hailing from Iron Mountain, Michigan, led the Huskies with eight total tackles (four solo and four assisted), along with an interception he returned for 24 yards and a blocked field goal in the 22-7 GLIAC opener against Wayne State at Kearly Stadium on Saturday. Basanese leads the Huskies with 48 total tackles this season, 27 solo and 21 assisted with two tackles for loss of five yards. Through five games he has averaged 9.8 total tackles per game for the Black & Gold, leading the GLIAC while ranking 10th in the country.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Mitchell Middleton, Ferris State
Ferris State University junior kicker Mitch Middleton had another busy day in the #5 Bulldogs’ decisive 55-13 triumph over Roosevelt on homecoming Saturday in Big Rapids. Middleton handled virtually all of FSU’s kicking chores and accounted for seven PAT points in the game. He also added eight kickoffs for 444 yards, averaging 55.3 yards per kick, with three touchbacks on a windy day. Additionally, he punted once for 38 yards in the FSU victory. His performance came on the heels of a record-breaking 12-of-12 PAT showing in last week’s win over American International.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Khalil Eichelberger (Grand Valley State), Alex Fries (Michigan Tech), Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State)
Defense: Jack Gilchrist (Grand Valley State), Cameren Grodhaus (Davenport), Sefa Saipaia (Ferris State)
Special Teams: Terrance Brown (Saginaw Valley State) Cal Doyle (Davenport), Evan Sundermann (Grand Valley State)
