FB: Saalfeld, Mertens earn weekly GPAC honors

Article Body: Brett Mertens and Michael Saalfeld of Concordia University, Nebraska were each honored as the Great Plains Athletic Conference/Hauff Mid-America Sports football players-of-the-week for games played on Saturday, September 29, 2007. Hauff Mid-America Sports is the presenting sponsor of the 2007-2008 GPAC Players-of-the-Week and Players and Coaches-of-the-Year awards program.

Mertens, a senior from Merino, Colo., was named the GPAC defensive player of the week. Mertens, posted a solid defensive performance from his free safety spot in the Bulldogs 21-14 loss to Morningside. For the game he grabbed two interceptions with totaling 56 return yards and blocked a Mustang punt. He also chipped in with four tackles.

Saalfeld, a junior from David City, Neb., was named the Co-GPAC special teams player of the week. Saalfeld boomed an 83-yard punt in Concordia's game against Morningside, setting a new GPAC record for longest punt. He also made two PAT's in the game. Coincidentally, Saalfeld was one of two GPAC punters to turn in an 83-yard punt, the other being Doane's Josh Warren with whom Saalfeld shares the weekly honor.

Concordia (2-3) will play at Doane (1-3) on Saturday in a 1 p.m.

Posted by site staff on 10/2/2007 10:45:00 AM