Player of the Week

ISU’s Dean, Northern Colorado’s Nelson, Idaho’s Coffey earn Big Sky weekly awards

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OGDEN, Utah (October 22, 2018) – The Big Sky Conference announced its ROOT SPORTS Players of the Week. Idaho State’s Michael Dean is named the Offensive Player of the Week, Northern Colorado’s Luke Nelson was voted the Defensive Player of the Week. Cade Coffey of Idaho picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.


Dean, a wide receiver, had six receptions for a career-high 210 receiving yards for the Bengals on the road versus FBS Liberty. He averaged 35.0 yards per catch – the second most in the FCS this season of anyone over 200 yards and the most by any FCS player versus an FBS opponent. Dean pulled down a 57-yard touchdown reception that gave ISU a 24-20 lead over the Flames in the third quarter. The Bengals fell to Liberty by a touchdown, but not before posting 631 yards of total offense.

Idaho kicker/punter Cade Coffey/ by Brooks Nuanez

Nelson, a linebacker for the Bears, helped guide Northern Colorado to its first win of the season in a 42-14 win over Northern Arizona. He finished the game with nine tackles, eight of them solo as the Bears held the Lumberjacks scoreless in the second quarter.

Nelson forced a fumble that led to a team safety to begin the second half and tie the game at 14-14. He also had an interception that led to a touchdown, as it aided in a 36-14 lead. The Bears outscored the Lumberjacks 30-0 in the second half.

Coffey, a sophomore, had a standout day for the Vandals as they beat Southern Utah 31-12 at home. He converted all four of his point after attempts and connected on an 18-yard field goal for Idaho. Coffey averaged 51.8 yards on eight punts. Three of which traveled at least 50 yards, another three were downed inside the 20, and one resulted in a touchback. Coffey booted an 80-yard punt – the longest punt in the Big Sky this season and tied for the longest punt in the FCS. Continuing with his kicking duties, he had six kickoffs for 390 yards and an average of 65.0 yards per kick – five resulting in a touchback.

Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week: Cutrell Hayward, UI; Troy Andersen, MSU; Keaton Mott, UNC; Austin Ewing, SUU; Treshawn Garrett, WSU.

Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week: Denzal Brantley, UI; Adkin Aguirre, ISU; Taylor Nelson, SUU; Jordan Preator, WSU.

Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week: Noah Sol, UNC; Rashaan Miller, SUU; Trey Tuttle, WSU.

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