GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 11 of the 2024 football season. Michigan Tech senior quarterback Alex Fries was selected GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week, Wayne State grad student safety Kaleb Coleman earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition and Michigan Tech freshman kicker Avery Kucharski received GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Alex Fries, Michigan Tech
Senior quarterback Alex Fries earned his second GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week. Fries, a native of Swan Valley, Michigan, recorded a career-high three rushing touchdowns on 15 carries (69 yards) while also tossing for 203 yards (17-for-32) to help the Huskies complete a fourth-quarter comeback that showcased 22-straight points for the Black & Gold in his Homecoming game.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kaleb Coleman, Wayne State
Graduate student Kaleb Coleman, in his final collegiate game, totaled a game-high 14 tackles (10 solo, 4 assisted) as the WSU defense limited NMU to 303 yards of total offense in 74 plays. He twice made big plays in the red zone - his tackle for loss (-3 yards) came on a fourth-and-two from the WSU 17 early in the third quarter, then his interception in the end zone on the second play of the fourth period also came on fourth down and thwarted a Wildcat scoring possibility.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Avery Kucharksi, Michigan Tech
Freshman kicker Avery Kucharski, hailing from Portage, Michigan, connected on two field goals, including a career-long from 45 yards while going two-for-two on extra points. The first-year punter also produced two monumental onside kicks, helping the Huskies steal two possessions in the fourth quarter, holding SVSU’s offense to just 45 seconds on the field in the final period.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Trinidad Chambliss (Ferris State), Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State), XaVior Tyus (Wayne State), Jahi Wood (Northern Michigan)
Defense: Micah Cretsinger (Saginaw Valley State), Luc Damiani (Northern Michigan), Grant Hart (Grand Valley State), Jalen Jones (Ferris State), Jamar Mills (Davenport)
Special Teams: Brandon Gielow (Davenport), Trace Hrgich (Grand Valley State), Mitchell Middleton (Ferris State), Griffin Milovanski (Wayne State)
