Indianapolis, McKendree Garner Weekly Football Honors
INDIANAPOLIS – University of Indianapolis senior quarterback Jake Purichia and McKendree University senior linebacker Austin Weltha and senior wideout/returner Derrick Curry have been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Players of the Week in football, it was announced by the league office Monday.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jake Purichia, Indianapolis
Sr., QB, Indianapolis, Indiana
Team Result: 43-34 home win vs. Missouri S&T
Finished 21-of-33 passing for 237 yards and three touchdowns
Added his sixth rushing touchdown of the season – most of any GLVC QB this season
Helped UIndy rally from 11-point deficit by throwing three TDs in decisive third quarter
Leads the GLVC and ranks fourth nationally in passing efficiency (187.9)
Has guided UIndy to school-record 10-0 start and a 14-game winning streak that is the longest in Division II
Earns his fourth career Offensive Player of the Week award (9/18/17, 9/25/17, 10/23/17)
Last Indianapolis Offensive Player of the Week: Jake Purichia (10/23/17)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Austin Weltha, McKendree
Sr., LB, Bloomington, Illinois
Team Result: 42-14 home win vs. Truman State
Finished with a team-best 12 tackles, including six solo stops
Recorded two fourth-quarter interceptions, including one that he returned 94 yards for a touchdown
Tied two program records with 94-yard pick-six, as it was his fifth interception of the season, which tied the school’s single-season mark, as well as his third INT return for a score that tied McKendree’s 1997 school record
Now has 108 tackles on the year, which is tied for fourth on McKendree’s single-season list and makes him just the third Bearcat to post at least 100 stops in one year
Earns his third career Defensive Player of the Week award (10/19/15, 10/23/17)
Last McKendree Defensive Player of the Week: Austin Weltha (10/23/17)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Derrick Curry, McKendree
Sr., WR/PR, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Team Result: 42-14 home win vs. Truman State
Averaged 29.3 yards per punt return, having totaled four returns for 117 yards
Fielded Quincy’s first punt and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, giving him four career and school record punt returns for TDs
Also added five receptions for team-high 91 yards
Currently leads the GLVC and ranks eighth in Division II in punt returns at 15.6 yards per effort
Earns his third career Special Teams Player of the Week award (11/7/16, 11/14/16)
Last McKendree Special Teams Player of the Week: Monte Wolke (10/23/17)