OGDEN, Utah (October 15, 2018) – The Big Sky Conference announced its ROOT SPORTS Players of the Week. UC Davis’ Jake Maier was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while Weber State’s Jawain Harrison was voted the Defensive Player of the Week. Roldan Alcobendas of Eastern Washington picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Maier, a junior for the Aggies, led the charge in UC Davis’ come-from-behind win over Idaho State to claim the top spot in the Big Sky. He completed 40-of-51 passes for 382 passing yards. Maier threw five touchdown passes – the most by an Aggie QB since joining the Big Sky. He connected with five different receivers, as UC Davis beat Idaho State 44-37 in overtime. Maier threw one interception in the game – instead of giving up on the play he rushed down the field and pushed the Bengal player out of bounds at the Aggie 15-yard line. He kept Idaho State from scoring on the drive as the Bengals were forced to punt after a series of penalties and a sack.
Roldan Alcobendas
Weber State’s Harrison was a key factor in the Wildcats keeping third-ranked Eastern Washington out of the end zone. Harrison tallied nine tackles – five solo – and 1.5 tackles for loss. The senior picked off an Eagle pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter to stop an Eastern Washington drive. The Wildcats held Eastern Washington to its lowest point total all season – previously 24, and without a touchdown scored in a game for the first time since 2008.
Alcobendas averaged 60.3 yards on seven punts in Eastern Washington’s game at Weber State. He registered a school-record 78-yard punt and added a 72-yarded in the third. He also recorded punts of 63 and 60 yards. Two of his punts were downed inside the 10-yard line of Weber State. He now owns two of the top three punts in school history. The 60.3 average for Alcobendas versus the Wildcats nearly broke the Big Sky record of 61.5 set by Eddie Johnson of Idaho State in 2002 versus Cal Poly. Alcobendas also kicked a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 27-yarder in the third quarter to remain perfect on the season at 9-for-9. He scored EWU’s lone points in the 14-6 loss.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week: Nsimba Webster, EWU; Mitch Gueller, ISU; Troy Andersen, MSU; Alex Wesley, UNC; Davis Alexander, PSU; Elijah Dotson, SAC; Jay Green, SUU; Jake Constantine, WSU.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week: Calin Criner, UI; Kody Graves, ISU; Grant Collins, MSU; Montre Brown, PSU; Taylor Nelson, SUU.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week: Judd Cockett, SUU; Josh Davis, WSU.
