Oct. 20, 2008

Bay City, Mich. - Grand Valley State sophomore running back James Berezik (Fraser, Mich./Warren De La Salle) has been named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week it was announced by the league office in Bay City, Michigan today.

Berezik rushed for a career-high 188 yards and one touchhdown on 23 carries, while catching four passes for 104 yards and a TD in the Lakers' 34-10 victory at Findlay. Berezik's 292 all-purpose yards was a career-high and his TDs were a 38-yard rush and a 77-yard reception. Berezik joined Michael Tennessee as the only two Lakers to rush for more than 100 yards and have over 100 receiving yards in the same game. Tennessee accomplished the feat in 2003 vesus Michigan Tech. Berezik ranks second in the GLIAC in rushing yards per game (119.9), second in scoring (8.6 ppg) and fourth in all-purpose yards per game (160.3). Berezik, who has rushed 91 times for 839 yards and eight TDs, leads the nation in yards per carry (9.2). In addition, Berezik ranks second on the squad in receptions (18) and third in receiving yards (287).

Top-ranked Grand Valley State will host #23 Ashland Saturday (Oct. 25) at Lubbers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Grand Valley State will be recognizing "Breast Cancer Awareness" during the game.