GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 9 of the 2024 football season. Grand Valley State sophomore quarterback Vinnie Meschi was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week, Saginaw Valley State senior linebacker Micah Cretsinger was selected GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week and Ferris State junior kicker MItchell MIddleton received GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Vinnie Meschi, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State sophomore quarterback Vinnie Meschi, starting his first career game, completed 8-of-14 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing six times for 16 yards in the Lakers' 55-28 victory over Wayne State. Meschi, who played just the first half with GVSU leading 37-0, averaged 25.0 yards per completion and all eight completions resulted in a first down. His touchdown passes covered 76 yards to Kyle Nott and three yards to Harrison Unger. Meschi's stats were all career highs.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Micah Cretsinger, Saginaw Valley State
Saginaw Valley State senior linebacker Micah Cretsinger had a team-high eight tackles with three tackles for loss, an interception, and a sack-fumble in the fourth quarter in a 24-14 win over Davenport. His interception was the first of the season and set up the first touchdown of the game that gave the Cardinals a 10-0 lead. He anchored a Cardinal defense that held the Panthers to a season-low in total yards (172) and rushing yards (52), while holding DU to 2-of-16 on third-downs.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Mitchell Middleton, Ferris State
Ferris State University junior kicker Mitch Middleton had another big day for the second-ranked Bulldogs in a decisive 55-9 league road win over Northern Michigan inside the Superior Dome on Saturday in Marquette. Middleton converted seven PAT’s in the game for FSU and also kicked off 10 times for 621 yards, averaging 62.1 yards a kick, with five touchbacks as the Bulldogs controlled the field position. The junior kicker also had a 25-yard run for a first down to keep a Bulldog drive alive on a fourth down fake punt in the second half. With the win, Ferris State improved to 8-1 overall this year and held on to sole possession of first place in the GLIAC standings at 5-0 overall.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Trinidad Chambliss (Ferris State), Myles McKatherine (Wayne State), Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State), Mac VandenHout (Davenport)
Defense: Hunter Buechel (Michigan Tech), Christian Jones (Davenport), Sefa Saipaia (Ferris State), Josh Schell (Grand Valley State)
Special Teams: Mathew Bacik (Grand Valley State)
