Trae Riek helped Northern Colorado earn one of the biggest wins in program history and JR Nelson helped the Montana Grizzlies stay alive in the playoff race. For their efforts, the duo earned the Big Sky Conference’s weekly awards.
Riek, a true freshman running back, was named the Big Sky’s Offensive Player of the Week after his standout effort in UNC’s 35-32 win over No. 10 Portland State in Greeley on Saturday. Riek piled up 202 all-purpose yards, including 145 yards rushing on a career-high 25 attempts. He added five catches for 57 yards. His touchdown with 23 seconds to play capped a comeback for UNC to give the Bears their first win over a top 10 team in school history.
Despite missing three games with injury, Riek has rushed for 690 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie season. He three 100-yard games this season and is averaging nearly six yards per carry.
Nelson, a junior cornerback, intercepted a pass in the second quarter and played an integral role in the game-winning play of Montana’s 33-27 triumph at Idaho State. Nelson’s interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter was Montana’s first pick-six this season. As ISU lined up for a game-winning field goal attempt in overtime, the snap went over the holder’s head. Nelson recovered the ball and pitched it to streaking safety Eric Johnson, who sprinted 40 yards for a game-winning touchdown. The win pushed Montana to 5-4 with two games to play, meaning UM is still alive in the playoff race. Nelson has 35 tackles, Saturday’s interception and four other pass breakups this season.
Northern Arizona kicker Ryan Hawkins connected on all nine of his PAT tries in NAU’s 52-30 win over Eastern Washington. Following Marcus Alford’s 70-yard interception return for a touchdown, Hawkins kicked off and somehow managed to recover a forced fumble as NAU was able to extend its lead. In total, Hawkins had nine kickoffs for an average of 58.3 yards and four touchbacks.
Other nominees for Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week included: Alex Kuresa, Portland State; Chris Brown, Cal Poly; Malik Brown, Southern Utah; Kendrick Bourne, Eastern Washington; Makena Simis, Montana; KW Williams, Idaho State; and Treshawn Garrett, Weber State.
Other nominees for Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week included: Taylor Risner, Northern Colorado; Patrick Onwuasor, Portland State; Tu’uta Inoke, Cal Poly; Taylor Nelson, Southern Utah; Mitch Tulane, Weber State; Hayden Stout, Idaho State; and Marcus Alford, Northern Arizona.
Other nominees for Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week included: Brady Stuart, UC Davis; Taylor Sheridan, Montana State; Trevor McGirr, Southern Utah; Jake Gall, Eastern Washington; and Eric Johnson, Montana.
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