OGDEN, Utah (September 26, 2016) – Big Sky Conference play this past weekend brought several big plays from several big players.
The conference had several teams open their conference slate with marquee victories, including three teams that couldn’t have won without the contributions of three significant players.
For their efforts in leading their teams to victory, North Dakota fullback Brady Oliviera is the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week; Southern Utah safety Tyler Collet is the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week; and Weber State kicker Taylor Hintze is the Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week.
UND running back Brady Oliveria (5)
North Dakota scored a 17-15 victory over Montana State, to open conference play, and Oliveira played a large role in the Fighting Hawks win. Oliveira rushed for a career-high 171 yards, and had his first multi-touchdown game. The fullback’s second touchdown proved to be the game-winning score, as his career-long, 60-yard touchdown run gave North Dakota a 17-9 lead. Oliviera’s three career touchdowns have all come against Montana State, and he’s had two 100 yard rushing performances, both against the Bobcats.
Several story lines surrounded the Southern Utah-Portland State matchup, with most surrounding a 2016 matchup of two of the league’s best 2015 defenses. A combined 76 points were scored in the 45-31 Southern Utah win, but it was a pair of defensive plays from safety Tyler Collet that spelled the Thunderbirds when they needed it most.
Collet finished the game with two interceptions, and posted eight tackles while also breaking up a pass. His first interception came in the final minutes of the second quarter, while his second interception came in the final minutes of the game, as the Vikings attempted to drive for a score.
Weber State earned a 38-35 win over UC Davis, and there’s no doubt the Wildcats couldn’t have won without kicker Taylor Hintze. Hintze made a 54-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, which was the third-longest field goal in Weber State history. Then, after a stunning turn of events left the Wildcats with the ball late, Hintze drilled a 35-yard attempt, giving Weber State a 1-0 start to the conference season. Hintze also made a 37-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter.
Other nominees for Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week include: Jerry Louie-McGee, Montana; Josh Cook, Idaho State; Dano Graves, Cal Poly; Gage Gabrud, Eastern Washington; Maximo Espitia, Portland State; Keelan Doss, UC Davis; Treshawn Garrett, Weber State; Malik Brown, Southern Utah; and Andre Lindsay, Sacramento State.
The nominees for Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week included: Tre’von Johnson, Weber State; Hayden Stout, Idaho State; Anders Turner, Cal Poly; Connor Strahm, Montana; Chris Seisay, Portland State; Zach Bruce, Eastern Washington; Inoke Raikadroka, UC Davis; Zach Arnell, North Dakota; Nick Crouch, Sacramento State; and Jake Thomas, Northern Arizona.
Nominees for Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week were: Casey Sublette, Cal Poly; Jerry Louie-McGee, Montana; Marcus Kinsella, Portland State; Nsimba Webster, Eastern Washington; Joshua Kelley, UC Davis; and Austin Dussold, North Dakota.
