Saint Joseph’s College junior quarterback Billy VandeMerkt, Urbana University senior defensive end Perry Jenkins, and William Jewell College freshman running back and return specialist Thomas Cook have been named Great Lakes Valley Conference Players of the Week, it was announced by the league office Monday.  VandeMerkt was named GLVC Offensive Player of the Week, Jenkins earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Cook was picked as Special Teams Player of the Week.

On special teams, Cook earned his first career weekly award and the first for William Jewell this season, despite the disappointing shootout loss at home to Saint Joseph’s.  The Dallas, Texas, native returned six kickoffs for 122 yards, including a long of 50 yards, and made the most of his only punt return by taking it back from 86 yards out for a score.  The talented newcomer also had an impressive day in the backfield, rushing for 225 yards on 22 carries to amass 452 all-purpose yards on the day, which eclipsed the previous GLVC mark of 387 that was set by last week’s GLVC Special Team Player of the Week honoree Jeff Ward of Kentucky Wesleyan.