BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE
It was a record-setting week for the Big Sky as the ROOT SPORTS Players of the Week were announced on Monday. The Big Sky shined on offense this week as Eastern Washington’s Gage Gubrud and Sacramento State’s Kevin Thomson shared the honors for Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week. Northern Arizona’s Wes Sutton was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, while Northern Colorado’s Collin Root picked up his second Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week accolade this season.
In Sacramento State’s 54-27 win over Southern Utah, Kevin Thomson completed 14-of-26 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. The quarterback also rushed for 149 yards – the most all-time by a Hornet quarterback – finding the endzone four times – an FCS single-game high this season. Thomson’s four rushing touchdowns tied for the second most in school history and were the most by a Hornet quarterback. The junior’s seven total touchdowns tied Garrett Safron’s school record set back in 2013. Thomson led a group of seven Hornet ball carriers which rushed for 333 yards against a Southern Utah defense which entered the game having allowed just 123.7 yards per game.
Montana’s defense swarms Gage Gubrud in Saturday’s first half/ by Jason Bacaj
Quarterback Gage Gubrud was recognized for the second straight week by the Big Sky, after he broke his own school record with a 549-yard passing performance. The junior finished with four thrown touchdowns and one on the ground in Eastern Washington’s come-from-behind 48-41 win at Montana. Gubrud’s 560 yards of offense were also a record, as he eclipsed his own previous records of 520 passing and 551 total yards. The 549 team passing yards set a new school record, as he completed 44-of-65 passes for 549 yards, four touchdowns and 11 rushing yards. Gubrud’s single-game highs of 560 yards of offense and 549 passing yards leads the FCS.
Safety Wes Sutton picked up Northern Arizona’s first weekly honor this season, as he was recognized on the defensive side of the ball. Sutton and the Lumberjack defense held Cal Poly’s triple option attack to 3.2 yards per carry, as NAU captured a 28-10 road win. Sutton registered seven tackles, including two tackles for a loss of five yards. With Cal Poly inching closer to the red zone and on the move in NAU territory, the junior came up huge as he picked off Cal Poly’s Khaleel Jenkins in the endzone to stop the Mustang drive that could have made it a two-possession game. Sutton’s interception resulted in Jenkins’ first pick of the season, as the Lumberjacks secured the road win.
Kicker Collin Root came up huge for Northern Colorado when he connected on a 37-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to give the Bears a 43-42 victory over Idaho State in the conference opener. Earlier in the game Root made field goals from 24 and 36 yards out. He also kicked off eight times, resulting in five touchbacks.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week: James Madison, Idaho State; Gresch Jensen, Montana; Chris Murray, Montana State; Elijah Marks, Northern Arizona; Jacob Knipp, Northern Colorado; James Felila, Southern Utah; Treshawn Garrett, Weber State
Other Nominees ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week: Kenter Kupp, Eastern Washington; Joe Martin, Idaho State; Tucker Schye, Montana; Mac Bignell, Montana State; Luke Nelson, Northern Colorado; Austin Clark, Sacramento State; Parker Preator, Weber State
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week: Dre’ Sonte Dorton, Eastern Washington; Samori Toure; Xequille Harry, Weber State
The Big Sky ROOT SPORTS Game of the Week will be Weber State at Montana State on Saturday, Sept. 23. The game is scheduled for a 1:35 p.m. MT kickoff.
