OGDEN, Utah (November 12, 2018) – Weber State Josh Davis continues to impress on the field in his rookie season, as he was named the STATS FCS National Freshman Player of the Week announced today by the organization.
Davis, a running back for the Wildcats, was unstoppable on Saturday versus Southern Utah. He racked up a career-high 225 rushing yards – the third most by a freshman in the FCS this season. He added touchdowns of 44 and 2 yards, as he helped Weber State to a 31-18 over its in-state rivals. It was Davis’ seventh game with at least 100 yards rushing and his second game of over 200 yards this season. He also became the 10th Wildcat and just the second freshman to ever rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
It is the second freshman national weekly honor this season for Davis.
The Big Sky Conference announced its ROOT SPORTS Players of the Week. Cal Poly’s Joe Protheroe was named the ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week. Eastern Washington’s Nzuzi Webster and Cal Poly’s Dominic Frasch were named co-ROOT SPORTS Defensive Players of the Week. Roldan Alcobendas of Eastern Washington earned ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.
Protheroe, the nation’s leading rusher, helped guide Cal Poly to a 37-14 victory over Top 25 Idaho State. The fullback registered his third consecutive 200-yard game with a career-high 260 yards on 41 carries. It was Protheroe’s eighth consecutive 100-yard game, as he broke the Cal Poly record for rushing yards in a season with 1,627 yards. Protheroe added a one-yard touchdown for the Mustangs in the second quarter.
Webster registered a 45-yard pick-six to kick off the second half and give Eastern Washington a 28-17 advantage. The cornerback added three tackles and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter to help guide the Eagles to a 59-20 victory and hand UC Davis its first league loss of the season. Webster and the Eagle defense held the Aggies to its lowest point total in league play this year..
Frasch led a Mustang defense that held Idaho State to its lowest point total of 14 this season. It came with 46 seconds left in the first quarter after Idaho State had driven to Cal Poly’s 31-yard line. The defensive back forced a fumble early in the fourth quarter which led to a 40-yard touchdown for Cal Poly and a 27-14 lead. Frasch leads the nation in pass breakups, as he added four on Saturday, in addtion to seven tackles – five solo – in the win.
The Eagles’ Alcobendas scored 11 points in the win over UC Davis at home. He kicked a 24-yard field goal to improve to 13-for-13 on the season. Alcobendas also converted all eight of his extra points and punted five times for an average of 39.8. Four of Alcobendas punts were downed inside the UCD 20-yard line and three inside the 10, including 5, 7, 9, and 19. The Aggies were held to an average field position of their own 15-yard line.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week: Eric Barriere, EWU; Dalton Sneed, UM; Troy Anderson, MSU; Milo Hall, UNC; Jay Green, SUU; Josh Davis, WSU.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week: Dante Olson, UM; Tyrone Fa’anono, MSU; Houston Barnes, PSU; Chinedu Ahanonu, SUU; LeGrand Toia, WSU.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week: Alex Vega, CP; Adam Wilson, UM; Judd Cockett, SUU.
Previous 2018 Big Sky National Players of the Week
Week 1
FCS STATS
Special Teams – Tristan Bailey, MSU
Freshman – Ulonzo Gilliam, UCD
CFPA
Performer – Gage Gubrud, EWU
Week 2
FCS STATS
Defense – Dante Olson, UM
Freshman – Josh Davis, WSU
Week 3
FCS STATS
Special Teams – Owen Hoolihan, SAC
Week 6
FCS STATS
Offense – Tanner Gueller, ISU
Special Teams – Cody Williams, PSU
CFPA
Offense – Tanner Gueller, ISU
Week 9
FCS STATS
Defense – Mason Moe, WSU