In certain times of the year, some games have an added importance.
Entering November, playing for a conference championship, or playing for playoff position, matters a great deal. Sometimes, playing for pride is the most important reward of all.
Three Big Sky Conference players rose up, as they played for all of these and more. For their performances last week, Montana quarterback Chad Chalich was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week, Southern Utah safety Mitch Dalley was named Defensive Player of the Week, and Northern Arizona kicker Griffin Roehler was named Special Teams Player of the Week.
Chalich, who started in place of senior Brady Gustafson in Montana’s 62-44 win over Idaho State, had an immediate impact. Chalich threw for 388 yards, throwing for seven touchdown passes, which set a Montana record. He also set another Montana record, by contributing to eight touchdowns, as he also rushed for a score. The previous record was held by Brian Ah Yat, who threw for six scores and rushed for another in a 1998 win over Stephen F. Austin.
With Southern Utah hosting Montana State, the Thunderbirds got a big 38-21 win over the Bobcats, and Dalley played an important role in the win. The junior had two interceptions in the game, while also leading the Thunderbirds with eight tackles. His second interception of the game came as Montana State was driving for a score.
Northern Arizona coach Jerome Souers earned a record-breaking win on Saturday, earning career win No. 112, in a 33-20 win over Weber State. Souers was greatly helped by kicker Griffin Roehler, who made four field goals for the Lumberjacks. Roehler is one of only seven players in the FCS in 2016 to make four or more field goals in a game.
Nominees for Offensive Player of the Week include: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington; John Santiago, North Dakota; Patrick Tyler, Southern Utah; Alex Kuresa, Portland State; Dano Graves, Cal Poly; and Jadrian Clark, Weber State.
The nominations for Defensive Player of the Week included: J.J. Njoku, Eastern Washington; Torrey Hunt, North Dakota; Keith Graham, Northern Arizona; Ryan Johnson, Montana; Joe Martin, Idaho State; and Landon Stice, Weber State.
Nominees for Special Teams Player of the Week included: Brandon Purdy, Montana; Jordan Dascalo, Eastern Washington; Tate Lewis, Southern Utah; Cory Thomson, Weber State; Jonathan Gonzales, Portland State; and Tucker Louie-McGee, Idaho State.
