Vanover Named GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week

Hillsdale College Release

Punter Matt Vanover named GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week

Oct. 23, 2005 - For the second time this season, a Hillsdale College football player from Adrian was named the GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

This time, Charger sophomore punter Matt Vanover earned the honor after Week 9 of play in the 2005 season. After the season’s first week, co-captain Chad Gurica won the same award.

Vanover’s award comes near the end of what has been a terrific season for him individually, as well as the team’s special teams unit as a whole. In Hillsdale’s 24-7 win over Tiffin University Saturday, Vanover consistently put the Hillsdale defense in good field position, booting six punts for a total of 253 yards. His kicks covered an average of 42.2 yards per punt, with a long of 62 yards, which was also his career-long punt. Earlier this season, Vanover had a 60-yard punt. Vanover also dropped two kicks inside the Tiffin 20-yard line, helping to give the Charger defense a longer field to work with against the Dragon offense.

Vanover currently leads the GLIAC in punting average at 41.1 per kick. His 54 punts have covered a total of 2,20 yards this season.

Like Gurica, Vanover is a graduate of Adrian High School. Vanover makes up a key part of Hillsdale’s conference-best special teams unit, that features Chad and Nick Gurica leading the GLIAC in kick and punt returns, respectively.