Two rushing touchdowns, two forced turnovers and four field goals highlighted the performances for this week’s Big Sky Football Players of the Week.
Northern Arizona running back Casey Jahn was named Offensive Player of the Week, Montana defensive tackle Caleb Kidder was named Defensive Player of the Week, and North Dakota kicker Reid Taubenheim was named Special Teams Player of the Week as each helped their respective teams to victories on Saturday.
Jahn helped lead Northern Arizona to a 49-41 victory over nationally ranked Montana State. Jahn set a new career-high by rushing for 175 and scored two touchdowns as NAU rolled up 506 yards of total offense. Jahn ripped off a 45-yard run on NAU’s final possession of the first half, then capped the drive with his first touchdown of his senior season from six yards out to give Northern Arizona a 28-14 lead at intermission. Jahn ripped off a 43-yard run on the first possession of the second half to set up a six-yard touchdown run to help the ‘Jacks take a 35-14 lead. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry.
Kidder helped the Montana Grizzlies to a 27-13 victory over UC Davis. Kidder was all over the field for a staunch Griz defense, making five solo tackles and two assisted for seven total. He also picked up a sack for a loss of 11 yards. Additionally, Kidder recovered a fumble and also had his first career interception.
Taubenheim equaled his career-high with four made field goals in UND’s 19-17 victory over ranked Portland State. The sophomore’s 29-yarder in the fourth quarter gave UND the lead for good. He also had makes from 23 and 37 yards in the first half, and added a 41-yarder in the third quarter of UND’s first road victory over a ranked opponent in its Division I era.
Nominees for Offensive Player of the Week included: Montana quarterback Chad Chalich; Cal Poly running back Kori Garcia; Sacramento State running back Jordan Robinson; Idaho State wide receiver Madison Mangum; Southern Utah quarterback Ammon Olsen; North Dakota quarterback Keaton Studsrud; Montana State quarterback Dakota Prukop; and Portland State receiver Paris Penn.
Nominees for Defensive Player of the Week included: Cal Poly linebacker Tu’uta Inoke; Northern Colorado safety Trevor Douglass; Sacramento State linebacker Darnell Sankey; Northern Arizona safety Eddie Horn; Idaho State defensive lineman Jake Pettit; Southern Utah linebacker Taylor Nelson; North Dakota linebacker Will Ratelle; and Portland State safety Patrick Onwuasor.
Nominees for Special Teams Player of the Week included: Montana kicker Chris Lider; Northern Colorado returner Hakeem Deggs; Sacramento State kicker Brad Cornish; Northern Arizona kicker Ryan Hawkins; UC Davis punter Colby Wadman; and Southern Utah kick returner Naia Ursua.
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.