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INDIANAPOLIS – William Jewell College sophomore running back Thomas Cook, Jr., University of Indianapolis senior running back and return specialist Klay Fiechter, and Truman State University redshirt freshman defensive back Austin Zoda, have been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Players of the Week, it was announced by the league office Monday. Cook was named Offensive Player of the Week, Zoda was picked as Defensive Player of the Week, while Fiechter was selected as Special Teams Player of the Week.
Cook helped lead the Cardinals to their first GLVC victory of the 2013 season with a 19-17 decision over Quincy. The Dallas, Texas, native registered 162 yards rushing on 30 carries and one touchdown, while adding three receptions for 26 yards. Cook, the 2012 GLVC Freshman of the Year, averaged 5.4 yards per rush and 8.7 yards per catch in the victory. He also amassed a total of 214 all-purpose yards, having also returned a pair of punts for a total of 26 yards. This is the second time Cook has been honored by the conference, but the first as Offensive Player of the Week. He was named Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 22, 2012.
Zoda had his hand in two forced fumbles and an interception in the Bulldogs' 27-7 victory over Missouri S&T on Saturday. On the first play of the second half with the Miners leading 7-6, Zoda popped the ball free from running back Zenel Hudson, which was recovered by Truman's T.J. Fine. Later in the quarter, Zoda again knocked the ball free from Hudson, who eventually recovered after a scramble to retain possession. The Frisco, Texas, native then picked off his second pass of the year in the fourth quarter and was credited with a six-yard return following an illegal block penalty on the Bulldogs during the return. He was also credited with four tackles on the day, increasing his season total to 58, which ranks second on the team. This is Zoda's first weekly honor of his career and the first-ever defensive award for Truman. The Bulldogs have earned one offensive honor and four accolades on special teams from the conference office this season, most recently by punter Jacob Lamp on Oct. 21.
Fiechter racked up 176 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the Greyhounds' 52-0 shutout of Kentucky Wesleyan Saturday. All three of his scores came in the second quarter, allowing UIndy to break the game open on the way to a 45-0 lead at the half. Fiechter compiled 79 yards on two punt returns while adding 97 rushing yards on just 10 carries. He sandwiched a pair of rushing touchdowns around a 54-yard punt return for a score – his second return TD in as many weeks. In what has seemingly become an event weekly for the veteran running back/return man, Fiechter broke yet another school record in the process. The Bluffton, Ind., native upped his career all-purpose yards total to 5,359 to snap the program's 37-year-old benchmark, held previously by former Greyhound standout and Indiana Football Hall of Famer Dick Nalley (1975-76). Fiechter leads the GLVC in punt return average (16.6 ypr), shares the league lead in total touchdowns (10) and ranks second in rushing (95.4 ypg). Fiechter was named GLVC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 14, but earns his third career special teams honor as he was recognized by the conference office on Sept. 17 and Oct. 1 last season.Â
