McKendree University sophomore linebacker Alec Gerdes, Missouri S&T sophomore running back Zenel Hudson, and Truman State University junior punter Jacob Lamp have been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Players of the Week, it was announced by the league office Monday.  Hudson was named Offensive Player of the Week, Gerdes was picked as Defensive Player of the Week, while Lamp was selected as Special Teams Player of the Week.

Gerdes registered a team-high eight tackles in the Bearcats’ 29-24 victory at William Jewell to open the conference season. He also had a fumble recovery in the second quarter that led to the Bearcats’ third touchdown of the night. In his first season as a starter at middle linebacker, Gerdes leads McKendree with 23 tackles and has recovered two fumbles through the Bearcats’ first three games.  The Normal, Ill., native earns the first weekly award of his career and is the first Bearcat to garner the honor since Jamison Wilson on Nov. 5, 2012.