CLEVELAND, Ohio (Nov. 13) - Eastern Michigan quarterback Walter Church, Central Michigan free safety Brian Leigeb and Ohio punt return specialist Raynald Ray, were honored as this week's Mid-American Conference Players of the Week for the 11th week of the season.
MAC Offensive Player of the Week

Eastern Michigan quarterback Walter Church (Sr., Ypsilanti, Mich.)
Church led his team to an amazing comeback win, rallying the Eagles from a 32-12, fourth-quarter deficit for a 39-32 win over Northern Illinois. Church's 25-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Walter with 25 seconds remaining provided the winning points. For the game, Church completed a school record 36 passes out of 50 attempts for 372 yards and two touchdowns. Both of his scoring passes came in the final three minutes of the game. Church also became the fourth quarterback in league history to pass for over 9,000 career yards as he now has 9,002.

Also nominated: Akron QB Butchie Washington (12-of-24, 287 yds., 3 TDs vs. Buffalo); Central Michigan QB Derrick Vickers (16-of-28, 228 yds., 2 TDs vs. Western Michigan); Marshall RB Franklin Wallace (9 att., 116 yds., 1 rec. for 70 yds. and TD vs. Miami); Miami RB Steve Little (22 att., 103 yds., vs. Marshall); Northern Illinois RB Michael Turner (career-high 230 yds. on 31 att., 2 TDs in first career start vs. Eastern Michigan); Toledo TB Chester Taylor (16 att., 161 yds., 1 TD vs. Ball State); Western Michigan RB Robert Sanford (36 att., 183 yds., 1 TD vs. Central Michigan).

MAC Defensive Player of the Week

Central Michigan free safety Brian Leigeb (Sr., Midland, Mich.)
Leigeb led a defensive charge that held Western Michigan to 17 points in a 21-17 CMU victory that snapped the Broncos' eight-game winning streak. Leigeb had 10 solo tackles and three assisted tackles and returned an interception 26 yards. The Chippewa defense held the Broncos, a team averaging 33 points a game, to just one offensive touchdown.

Also nominated: Akron DB Dwight Smith (1 int. for a 59-yds. TD, 8 solo tackles vs. Buffalo); Eastern Michigan LB Scott Russell (9 tackles, 2 tfl, 1 sack, 1 int. vs. Northern Illinois); Marshall LB Max Yates (9 tackles, 2 tfl, 1 sack vs. Miami); Ohio OLB Matt Weikert (blocked punt for a safety, 10 tackles, 2 tfl, 1 sack vs. Bowling Green); Toledo CB Jehu Anderson (9 tackles, 1 tfl, 1 int. vs. Ball State); Western Michigan LB Garrett Soldano (13 tackles, 2 tfl vs. Central Michigan).

MAC Special Teams Player of the Week

Ohio punt return specialist Raynald Ray (Sr., San Antonio, Texas)
Ray established Ohio season and career records for punt return yardage with his three punt returns for 56 yards at Bowling Green. His second-quarter, 41-yard return gave the Bobcats the ball at midfield. In all, Ray accounted for 135 all-purpose yards on 13 touches. Ray's records includes single-season punt return yards (389) and career punt return yards (657).

Also nominated: Akron PK Zac Derr (11 points, FG of 35 and 41 yds. vs. Buffalo); Marshall PK J.R. Jenkins (15 points, 3-3 FG from 21, 29, 31 yds. vs. Miami); Northern Illinois PK Steve Azar (14 points, 4-4 FG from 29, 26, 29, 36 yds. vs. Eastern Michigan); Western Michigan PR Josh Bush (73-yd. TD punt return vs. Central Michigan).