UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University junior safety Eli Gordon was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Football Defensive Player of the Week after helping lead the Cardinals to a 38-14 win on the road against Winona State in week one of competition. This is Gordon's second conference Player of the Week award (he earned one last year after the homecoming victory over Wayne State).

The Midland, Michigan native, was all over the field from his safety spot on defense in the Cardinals' week-one win. His performance was highlighted by a fumble recovery in the first quarter that set the offense up at the Winona State 20-yard line and allowed the early 14-0 lead, an interception inside the SVSU 20-yard line that halted a six-play drive by WSU in the red zone, and a blocked field goal attempt before the half that kept the score at 31-14 going into the break.

SVSU football prepares for the Axe Bowl at Northwood this Saturday, September 14. The Cardinals look to extend their five-game winning streak over the Timberwolves. Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m. (ET).