Bazuin and Mikulec Receive MAC West Honors

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University senior defensive end Daniel Bazuin of McBain (Mich.) High School and junior punter Tony Mikulec of Pontiac (Mich.) Notre Dame Prep have earned Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors for their efforts in the Chippewas' 42-20 win at Toledo on Saturday.

Daniel Bazuin earns the defensive honor after recording two sacks and returning a fumble 32 yards for the go-ahead touchdown against the Rockets. His fumble return in the final minute of the first half gave the Chippewas a 21-14 halftime lead. He has now recorded more than one sack in eight games during his career.

Bazuin now has 29 career sacks and 54.5 career tackles for loss, both CMU records. He is tied for fourth all-time in the MAC in sacks and 10th in tackles for loss. This is the third time in his career he has earned MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Tony Mikulec garners the special teams honor for the second time this season after averaging 39.3 yards on three punts against Toledo. All three of his punts pinned the Rockets inside their own 20-yard line, including his first punt which was downed inside the 1-yard line.

Toledo managed just one punt return for a total of 2 yards Saturday night. For the season, Mikulec has seen just seven of his 27 punts returned for a total of 15 yards. In the past four games, CMU’s opponents have combined to return four punts for a net of 0 yards.

Central Michigan (3-3 overall, 3-0 MAC), alone in first place in the MAC West Division, hosts Ball State on Homecoming at 1 p.m. on Saturday.