Ashland’s Bill Cundiff Named 2008 GLIAC Football Player of the Year

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2008 GLIAC Football Postseason Awards

Player of the Year:

Bill Cundiff (Jr, QB, Ashland University)

Offensive Back of the Year:

James Berezik (So, RB, Grand Valley State University)

Offensive Lineman of the Year:

Billy Eisenhardt (Sr, OC, Grand Valley State University)

Defensive Back of the Year:

Dante Dunn (Sr, DB, Wayne State University)

Co-Defensive Linemen of the Year:

Dan Skuta (Sr, DL, Grand Valley State University) &

Jake Visser (Sr, DT, Ferris State University)

Freshman of the Year:

Kevin Smith (Fr, QB, Wayne State University)

Coach of the Year:

Paul Winters, Wayne State University

BAY CITY, Mich. -- Ashland junior quarterback Bill Cundiff (Uniontown, Ohio/Connecticut) was named the 2008 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Football "Player of the Year" in balloting conducted by the league's head coaches. Sophomore running back James Berezik (Fraser, Mich./Warren De La Salle) of Grand Valley State University was voted "Offensive Back of the Year," while Wayne State University's Paul Winters garnered "Coach of the Year" honors.

The rest of the GLIAC's postseason awards were chosen as follows: rookie quarterback Kevin Smith (Detroit, Mich./Central) of Wayne State earned "Freshman of the Year" accolades; senior corner back Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) of Wayne State earned "Defensive Back of the Year" honors; senior center Billy Eisenhardt (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) of Grand Valley State earned the "Offensive Lineman of the Year" award; while Ferris State University senior defensive tackle Jake Visser (Coopersville, Mich.) and Grand Valley State defensive lineman Dan Skuta (Flint, Mich./Carmen Ainsworth) were named "Co-Defensive Linemen of the Year."

Cundiff, in his second season as AU's starting quarterback, has led the Eagles to back-to-back NCAA playoff berths for the first time in program history. Cundiff is currently fifth among Division II quarterbacks in pass efficiency rating (175.3), passing yards per game (318.2 yds.) and passing yards (3,500 yds.), while placing sixth in total offense (341.9 yds.). The junior has completed 258-of-371 passes (69.5 percent) for 3,500 yards with 34 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. He is one of 24 finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

Berezik rushed for 1,196 yards and 12 TDs on 150 carries and his 8.0 yards per carry average was tops in the country for any back that toted the ball over 150 times. Berezik, the 2007 GLIAC Freshman of the Year, broke the 100-yard rushing mark seven times during the 2008 campaign, including a 234-yard performance in the season finale at Wayne State. Berezik also caught 27 passes for 433 yards and five TDs and he became the first running back in GVSU football history to go over the 100-yard rushing and receiving mark in a game twice in the same season.

Winters, in his fifth year at the helm of the WSU football program, has earned his second GLIAC Coach of the Year award in the last three seasons. This year's squad tied the school record for wins in a season (8), set the school mark for conference wins (7) and had the best GLIAC finish by a WSU team since 1984. The Warriors went 5-1 at home with the only setback coming vs. Grand Valley. WSU went 3-2 away from Detroit and had winning streaks of three and four games during the season. Wayne State was ranked for the first time ever by the AFCA and finished eighth in the region's final poll after being tabbed ninth in the league by the GLIAC coaches last summer.

Smith compiled a 6-2 mark as WSU's starting quarterback in his true freshman season with his only setbacks coming against Grand Valley State and Ashland. He passed for nine touchdowns with only six interceptions while throwing for 805 yards. Smith had four games with multiple touchdown passes, including a career-high three at Northwood. He was second among all newcomers in touchdowns responsible for with nine. Smith also rushed for 85 yards.

Dunn, a senior safety, was tied-for-second in the GLIAC with nine pass break-ups, while finishing fourth in the conference in passes defended with 12. He was also tied-for-10th in the GLIAC in interceptions with three and tied-for-13th in the GLIAC in tackles with 82. He helped lead a resurgent Warrior defense that went from 125th (34.8 ppg) nationally in scoring defense to seventh (14.6 ppg).

Eisenhardt is the anchor of one of the most balanced offensive lines in the country. Eisenhardt, a 2007 and 2008 First-Team All-GLIAC honoree, is a key figure in a Laker offense that is averaging 234.0 yards per game rushing and 214.6 yards per game passing. In addition, Eisenhardt is part of an offensive line that has yielded a GLIAC low 11 QB sacks and is averaging 448.6 yards per game and 7.4 yards per play.

Visser, who previously was honored as the GLIAC's Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2007, attained all-conference accolades for the fourth-straight year which includes first-team recognition for the third year in a row. This season, Visser led the Bulldogs with 105 total tackles (56 solo), 16.0 tackles for loss (-71 yards) in addition to 7.5 sacks (-54 yards), two fumble recoveries, four blocked kicks and a forced fumble in 11 contests. He also notched his first career touchdown with a 34-yard interception return at Hillsdale (Nov. 1). The returning All-America pick finished the year ranked third among the GLIAC leaders in tackles for loss (1.45 pg.), third in sacks (.68 pg.) along with seventh in total tackles (9.5 tpg.). Last week, Visser was selected among the 24 candidates for the 2008 Harlon Hill Award, which is annually presented to the top collegiate player at the Division II level. He was the only offensive or defensive lineman from across the nation who made the list.

Skuta leads the GLIAC and ranks fourth in the nation in QB sacks with 10.5 (-68). Skuta, a 2007 and 2008 First-Team All-GLIAC honoree, has tallied 38 total tackles (15 solo/23 assisted), four pass breakups, 11 QB hurries, recovered a fumble, forced a fumble and blocked one kick on the year. In addition, Skuta has a QB sack in 8-of-10 games played and a tackle for loss in 9-of-10 games played. Dan moved into first on the all-time GVSU sacks list and fifth on the all-time DII list in career QB sacks (32.5).

2008 GLIAC All-Conference Football Teams

First Team Offense

Position Name School Yr. Hometown

QB Bill Cundiff Ashland Jr. Uniontown, Ohio/Connecticut

RB Joique Bell Wayne State Jr. Benton Harbor, Mich.

RB James Berezik Grand Valley State So. Fraser, Mich./Warren De La Salle

RB Phil Milbrath Michigan Tech So. Norway, Mich.

H-Back Scott Blasko Grand Valley State Sr. Lansing, Mich./St. Joseph's

WR Dyshaun Edwards Tiffin Sr. Cincinnati, Ohio

WR A.J. Kegg Hillsdale Jr. Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township

WR Johnny Long Ashland Sr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Akron

WR Blake Smolen Grand Valley State Jr. Grosse Ile, Mich.

OL Sam Allen Grand Valley State Sr. Lansing, Mich./Sexton

OL Bill Behling Michigan Tech Jr. Milwaukee, Wis./Bay View

OL Billy Eisenhardt Grand Valley State Sr. Macomb, Mich,/Dakota

OL Nate Hollins Ashland Sr. New Concord, Ohio/John Glenn

OL Desi Mayner Saginaw Valley State Sr. Gaines, Mich./Linden

OL Jared Veldheer Hillsdale Jr. Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern

PK Todd Carter Grand Valley State Sr. Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth

Spec. Dante Dunn Wayne State Sr. Lansing, Mich./Waverly

First Team Defense

Position Name School Yr. Hometown

DL Drew Berube Hillsdale Jr. Hillsdale, Mich.

DL Danny Richard Grand Valley State So. West Bloomfield, Mich.

DL Dan Skuta Grand Valley State Sr. Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth

DL Jason Thomas Wayne State Sr. Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary

DL Jake Visser Ferris State Sr. Coopersville, Mich.

LB John Jacobs Saginaw Valley State Jr. Prudenville, Mich./Midland Dow

LB Tom Korte Hillsdale Sr. Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central

LB Kevin Noe Ferris State Sr. Orleans, Mich./Belding

LB Matt Shango Wayne State Jr. West Bloomfield, Mich./Brother Rice

LB Justin Victor Grand Valley State So. Allen Park, Mich.

DB Matt Black Saginaw Valley State Sr. Toronto, Ontario/Northern Secondary

DB Cornelius Dillard Wayne State Sr. Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres

DB Dante Dunn Wayne State Sr. Lansing, Mich./Waverly

DB Anthony Fields Findlay Jr. Ft. Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers

DB Jake McGuckin Grand Valley State Jr. Allen Park, Mich.

P Justin Trumble Grand Valley State Jr. Grosse Point, Mich./Dakota

2008 GLIAC All-Conference Football Teams

Second Team Offense

Position Name School Yr. Hometown

QB Brad Iciek Grand Valley State Jr. Grandville, Mich.

RB Brandon Emeott Saginaw Valley State Sr. Caro, Mich.

RB Dawon Harvey Ashland Jr. Columbus, Ohio/Central State

RB Craig Jenkins Indianapolis Sr. Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North

H-Back Galen Stone Saginaw Valley State Jr. Grand Blanc, Mich./Swartz Creek

WR Nick Bellanco Ashland Jr. Wooster, Ohio

WR Mike Chambers Findlay Jr. Ravenna, Ohio

WR Joe Horn Ashland So. Waynesfield, Ohio/Goshen

WR Jonn Mathews Grand Valley State Sr. Essexville, Mich./Garber

OL Tim Dury Indianapolis Jr. Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard

OL Reggie Gamble Ashland Sr. Mansfield, Ohio/Senior

OL Kris Krempien Northern Michigan Sr. Mukwonago, Wis.

OL Luke Krombach Northwood Sr. Grayslake, Ill./Carmel

OL Nick McDonald Grand Valley State Jr. Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford II

OL Justin Magruder Ashland Jr. Westerville, Ohio/South

PK Mark Petro Hillsdale Jr. Rocky River, Ohio/Lutheran West

Spec. Robert Haynes Michigan Tech Sr. Lansing, Mich./Sexton 

Second Team Defense

Position Name School Yr. Hometown

DL Brad Bush Saginaw Valley State Sr. Johannesberg, Mich./Gaylord

DL Randall Courtney Indianapolis Jr. Indianapolis, Ind./North Central

DL Drew Vanderlin Michigan Tech So. Green Bay, Wis./Southwest

DL Kyle Walker Ferris State Sr. Grand Haven, Mich.

DL Eric Weber Hillsdale Sr. Defiance, Ohio/Tinora

LB Tristan Black Wayne State Sr. Toronto, Ontario/Vanier Prep

LB Tom Brenner Ashland Sr. Orrville, Ohio

LB Leonard Bush Indianapolis Sr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon

LB Brad Howard Grand Valley State Fr. Mishawaka, Ind.

LB Nathan Yelk Northern Michigan Jr. Arlington, Wis.

DB David Carmody Michigan Tech Jr. Newberry, Mich.

DB Corey Edwards Grand Valley State Sr. Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills

DB Terrell Heggins Ferris State Sr. Lansing, Mich./Everett

DB Craig Ray Indianapolis So. Plainfield, Ind.

DB Alex Wojcik Hillsdale Sr. Northville, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central

P Eric Schweller Hillsdale Jr. Bellbrook, Ohio

2008 All-GLIAC Honorable Mention Team

Ashland: Frank Cardone (Jr./TE), Kyle Clark (Sr./DL), Marcus Council (Jr./LB), Pat Curran (Sr./DB), Matt Knez (So./OL), D.J. Shaw (Sr./LB)

Ferris State: Tim Hogue (So./WR), Jeff Hollandsworth (Sr./LB), Jordan Moore (Sr./LB), Matt Wellman (So./OL), Chad Wilson (Jr./DB), James Yates (Sr./P)

Findlay: Joe Knopick (Jr./LB), Mike Roach (Sr./DL), Cameron Stevens (So./K), E.J. Whitlow (Jr./DL)

Grand Valley State: Cameron Bradfield (So./OL), Rob Carlisle (Jr./CB), P.T. Gates (Jr./RB), Alex Gilde (So./DL), Chris Huley (So./DB), Jacob Topp (Sr./OL)

Hillsdale: Austin Niemiec (Sr./LB), Vinnie Panizzi (Jr./RB), Matt Patillo (Sr./TE), Josiah Swartz (Sr./OL),  Aaron Waldie (Sr./WR), Mark Yassay (Jr./DL)

Indianapolis: Deontrai Campbell (Fr./RB), Mike Dum (Fr./LB), Maxwell Frempong (Jr./OL), Stephen Geller (Jr./WR), Jason Smith (Sr./OL), Louis Vesta (Sr./OL)

Michigan Tech: Travis Coughlin (Sr./OL), Josh Frantti (Jr./OL), Steve Short (Jr./QB), Bob Slowik (Jr./WR), Sean Spellman (Sr./LB), Keith White (Sr./WR)

Northern Michigan: Mark Bossuah (Jr./RB), Dan Elmore (Sr./WR), Alex Grignon (Sr./DB), Jack Rustman (Jr./OL), Zach Nichols (Jr./WR), Jake Reimer (Jr./DL)

Northwood: Antoine Carr (Jr./SE), Torris Childs (Sr./FB), Baher Faik (Jr./DL), Leroy Goulbourne (Sr./LB), Chris Kollias (Sr./P), Quillan Mathis (So./SE)

Saginaw Valley State: Jeremy Burr (Sr./K), Jordan DeRosia (Jr./OL), Kurtis Fournier (Jr./P), Toby Goetz (Jr./DL), Carl Grimes (Sr./WR), Mike LeVand (Jr./LB)

Tiffin: Joe Crawford (Sr./DL), Drew Douthit (Sr./LB), Matt Root (Sr./QB)

Wayne State: Athan Anagonye (Jr./DE), Andrew Bates (Sr./DE), Jeremy Jones (Fr./S), Ryan Jonik (Jr./OT), Joe Long (Fr./OT), Stan Thornton (So./CB)