Brunner Earns MAC West Division Honor

MOUNT PLEASANT - Sophomore quarterback Brian Brunner of Hartford (Wisc.) Union High School has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Chippewas' 24-17 overtime victory at Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Brian Brunner came off the bench in the second quarter and completed 20-of-29 passes for 214 yards and a score and ran 11 times for a team-high 72 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 11-of-12 passes during one stretch midway through the contest and connected on six of his final seven attempts, including the game-winning 10-yard touchdown pass to Bryan Anderson on third-and-goal in overtime.

Brunner scored on a 39-yard run in the third quarter to give the Chippewas a 7-3 lead, then capped a 10-play, 94-yard drive with a 3-yard scoring run to put CMU in front, 17-10, with 1:44 remaining. He was 4-of-7 passing for 88 yards on the 94-yard march.

Brunner was playing in his first game since being injured on the second snap from scrimmage in the season opener.

Central Michigan (2-2 overall, 2-0 MAC) visits Kentucky for a nonconference tilt on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.