Page, Lohmann, Zuerlein Earn Football Awards

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – LaDarrian Page (Emporia State), Derek Lohmann (Emporia State), and Greg Zuerlein (Missouri Western) have been named MIAA Football Student-Athletes of the Week for the week of Nov. 5 as selected by a conference SID panel.

MIAA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
LaDarrian Page, RB, Emporia State
Page rushed for 201 yards on just 14 carries with three touchdowns as ESU won its third straight game and fifth game in its last seven. The senior from Lee's Summit, Mo., became first Hornet to gain 200 yards on the ground since Kevin Smart had 206 in an overtime win at Truman on Oct. 24, 2009. Page's three touchdowns were the most by a Hornet since he scored three against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Aug. 27, 2009. He averaged 14.4 yards per rush on the afternoon. Page's 275 all-purpose yards are the most since Tyler Paul had 311 against Truman on Oct. 4, 2003. He gave ESU a 14-7 lead with 3:30 left in first quarter on 10-yard run, and then scored on a 27-yard run to give the Hornets a 35-14 lead with 17 seconds left in the third quarter. After SBU had pulled to within 35-28, Page put ESU back up by two scores on a 14-yard TD rush. He gained 43 of the 80 yards on the drive. Page gained 79 yards on ESU's final drive, including a game-high 50-yard rush to take the Hornets from their own nine-yard line to the SBU 41 with just over two minutes left. It was his second 50-yard rush of the season, and fourth rush of at least 50 yards in his ESU career. Page also had two kick returns for 44 yards and a punt return of 30 yards.

Others Nominated: Tommy Corwin, UCM; Cornelius Gallon, FHSU; Travis Partridge, MWSU; Donald Harvey, TSU; Justin Cooper, WU.

MIAA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Derek Lohmann, S, Emporia State
Lohmann had a career-high three interceptions as ESU won its third straight game and fifth in its last seven. The junior from Alva, Okla., was credited with eight tackles, seven of them solo, including a tackle for loss. His three interceptions are the most by a Hornet since ESU joined the NCAA, and are second to Dick Williams' four picks against Pittsburg State in 1958. Lohmann's first interception came in the end zone at the end of the half and preserved a 21-7 ESU lead. He returned his second pick 27 yards to the SBU 18-yard line, leading to a Dasor Horton touchdown run on the Hornets' next offensive play and a 28-7 lead. Lohmann's final interception came with 5:02 left at the SBU 46-yard line after the Bearcats had scored on their previous two possessions. Lohmann now has eight interceptions on the season to rank second on ESU's single-season list. He has 14 career interceptions in 31 games to tie the ESU record.

Others Nominated: Colin Hanna, UCM; Kyle Perry, FHSU; Kyle Whitcher, TSU; Casey Curran, WU.

MIAA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Greg Zuerlein, K, Missouri Western
Zuerlein nailed all three of his field goal attempts, which included two over 50 yards. The senior from Lincoln, Neb., also had five touchbacks in seven kickoff attempts and went 2-for-2 in PAT attempts. Zuerlein nailed a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter against the wind, and then hit a 53-yarder late in the first half, cutting the Griffon deficit to one at the break. With 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the score tied at 28, he nailed a 58-yard field goal, which proved to be the game-winner. Zuerlein's 58-yard field goal is a new school record, which was 57 yards, which he set earlier this season against Missouri Southern. Zuerlein has made 16 consecutive field goals, which is an MIAA record and he has made 18 field goals, a new single-season record by a Griffon kicker. During his current 16 straight field goals, 13 of them have been from 30+ yards. Zuerlein is a perfect 4-for-4 from 30-39 yards, 3-for-3 between 40-49 yards, and 6-for-6 from 50+ yards. He scored 14 of the Griffons' 31 points in the game.

Others Nominated: Matt Jordan, UCM; Tyler Chilson, ESU; AJ Woodall, FHSU; Jeremy Linn, WU.

2011 MIAA Football Student-Athletes of the Week
9/5 – Offense: Dane Simoneau, QB, WU; Defense: Gus Toca, DE, PSU; Special Teams: John Brown, RS, PSU
9/12 – Offense: J.B. Clark, QB, TSU; Defense: David Bass, DE, MWSU; Special Teams: Aaron Jamieson, K, UCM, Andy Mundwiller, PR/WR, TSU.
9/19 – Offense: Jamar Howard, WR, UCM; Defense: Nate Dreiling, LB, PSU; Special Teams: Jon Thomas, RS, PSU
9/26 – Offense: Tommy Corwin, QB, UCM, Landon Zerkel, WR, MSSU; Defense: Ryon Phillips, DL, MSSU, Spencer Worthington, DE, PSU; Special Teams: Jeremy Linn, K, WU
10/3 – Offense: John Brown, WR, PSU, Tommy Corwin, QB, UCM; Defense: Nate Dreiling, LB, PSU; Special Teams: Greg Zuerlein, K, MWSU
10/10 – Offense: Justin Cooper, RB, WU; Defense: Dakota Palan-Johnson, DE, WU; Special Teams: Tarrell Downing, WR/RS, MWSU
10/17 – Offense: Trevor Adams, QB, NWMSU; Defense: Ryon Phillips, DE, MSSU; Special Teams: Jake Craig, P, PSU.
10/24 – Offense: Blake Christopher, QB, NWMSU; Defense: Nate Dreiling, LB, PSU; Special Teams: Ne'Ronte Threatt, WR/KR, MSSU
10/31 – Offense: Michael Hill, RB, MWSU; Defense: David Bass, DE, MWSU; Special Teams: Jordan Simmons, KR, NWMSU
11/7 – Offense: LaDarrian Page, RB, ESU; Defense: Derek Lohmann, S, ESU; Special Teams: Greg Zuerlein, K, MWSU