BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE
This week’s Big Sky Conference weekly awards went to Eastern Washington’s Gage Gubrud for the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week, Montana’s Justin Strong for Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, and Northern Arizona’s Elijah Marks for the Special Teams Player of the Week.
The award is the third straight for the junior quarterback from Eastern Washington. Gubrud registered 486 yards and collected six touchdowns to lead the Eagles to a 52-31 victory over Sacramento State. Gubrud completed 35-of-50 passes as he finished with 447 passing yards and five touchdowns– his third-straight game with at least 399. Gubrud showed his versatility when he caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from running back Sam McPherson late in the first quarter. He had a hand in 57 of EWU’s 86 offensive plays, resulting in the seventh-most total yards in school history with 651.
Montana senior safety Justin Strong/ by Jason Bacaj
Safety Justin Strong single-handedly led the Montana defense to a 45-33 win against Portland State. Literally. With one arm in a cast that was heavily taped, Strong recorded a trio of interceptions for a total of 116 yards. One of his picks he ran back for a 64-yard score with three minutes remaining in the game. Strong also halted a two-point conversion attempt by Portland State, snatching the ball out of the end zone to stop the Vikings. Strong also earned FCS National Player of the Week.
Wide receiver Elijah Marks showed that his speed could carry him the length of the field, as the senior returned a kickoff 100 yards for the touchdown – a career high. The score made it a two-possession game as the Lumberjacks never trailed. Marks’ return marked the first time since 2013 a Lumberjack returned a kickoff for a score, and it also tied the longest scoring play in school history. Marks finished with a total of 123 yards on a pair of kickoff returns and also ran back one punt for 10 yards in the Lumberjacks 48-20 victory over Northern Colorado.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week: Khaleel Jenkins, Cal Poly; Tanner Gueller; Idaho State; Jeremy Calhoun, Montana; Elijah Marks, Northern Arizona: Josh Kraght, Portland State; Kevin Thomson, Sacramento State; Jake Maier, UC Davis; Stefan Cantwell, Weber State.
Other Nominees ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week: Albert Havili, Eastern Washington; Josh Clarke, Northern Arizona; Chris Seisay, Portland State; Keilan Benjamin, Weber State.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week: Dre’Sonte Dorton, Eastern Washington; Parker Johnson, Idaho State; Brandon Purdy, Montana; Khalil Dawson, Portland State; Trey Tuttle, Weber State.
The Big Sky ROOT SPORTS Game of the Week will feature Portland State at Montana State. The game is scheduled for an 11:05 a.m. MT kickoff.
