FREELAND, Mich.-- Trine's Gage Corner and Mark Haydock have earned MIAA Football Player of the Week awards, the conference announced Monday.
Corner (Leo, Ind./Leo) was named Offensive Player of the Week, while Haydock (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider) earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Both players starred for the Thunder in a 31-28 victory over Hope this past Saturday. The win kept Trine in the hunt for at least a share of the MIAA title and a possible automatic-qualifying bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Each player is being honored as a player of the week for the first time in his career.
For the second time this season, Corner tied a school-record with 13 catches. He totaled 172 receiving yards and his second game-winning touchdown reception in the last three weeks. Corner leads the MIAA with 860 receiving yards this season. His 63 receptions are second in the conference and four short of breaking Nick Testa's single-season team record set in 2003.
Corner has cemented himself as one of the best receivers ever to wear the Trine blue. Over the past four seasons he has totaled 2,422 receiving yards, good enough for third all-time in program history. Corner is the school's all-time leader in receptions per game and needs 107 yards receiving to become the team record holder.
Haydock booted a school-record four field goals in Saturday's victory. The senior connected on attempts of 21, 33, 35 and 28 yards. His 35-yard field goal with 13:06 remaining in the fourth quarter gave Trine its first lead of the afternoon. Haydock's 13 points scored by kicking were the fourth most in a game in team history.
Haydock has played a big role as part of a strong Thunder special teams unit this season. He has connected on 7-of-10 field goal attempts. His seven makes and 70-percent success rate both lead the MIAA. Haydock has also converted 30-of-33 PATs.
Trine can clinch a share of the MIAA title with a victory at Adrian this Saturday. A Thunder win combined with an Olivet loss to Alma would give Trine the conference's automatic-qualifying bid to the postseason. Trine enters the weekend tied with Albion and Olivet with one loss in conference play.
Kickoff of the "Border Brawl" between the Thunder and Bulldogs is set for 1 p.m. in Adrian College's Docking Stadium.