Montana State's Zach Minter is the Co-Defensive Player of the Week.
Football Players of the Week - Oct. 3
PDF of Release
OGDEN, UTAH (Oct. 3, 2011) - The Big Sky Conference has selected its football Players of the Week for games The Big Sky Conference has selected its football players of the week for games played on Saturday, Oct. 1. Portland State quarterback Connor Kavanaugh is the offensive Player of the Week. Montana State defensive tackle Zach Minter and Eastern Washington defensive end Anthony Larry are the Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Montana punt returner Jabin Sambrano is the special teams Player of the Week.
Kavanaugh, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior from Portland, carried 12 times for a career-high 212 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns in Portland State’s 42-35 road victory over Idaho State. Kavanaugh averaged an amazing 17.7 yards per carry. He scored on runs 33, 43, 43 and 5 yards. Kavanaugh also completed 6-of-11 passes for 101 yards and engineered an offense that ran for a school-record 436 yards. This is Kavanaugh’s first career Player of the Week Honor. Kavanaugh was also named the national offensive player of the week by The Sports Network.
Minter, a 6-1, 285-pound junior from Phoenix, Ariz., tallied four tackles, a key fumble recovery and a tackle for loss in No. 4 Montana State’s 31-21 victory over No. 25 Sacramento State. Minter’s fumble recovery came with 5:19 to play, and Sacramento State on the verge of closing within 31-28. Minter fell on a Jeff Fleming fumble to stop the Hornets’ rally. This is Minter’s second career player of the Week honor.
Larry, a 6-3, 250-pound sophomore from Sacramento, Calif., recorded six tackles – one for loss – a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery in Eastern Washington’s 27-21 home win over Weber State. Larry’s fumble recovery came with 21 seconds to play at the Eastern Washington 23-yard line. Weber State was in position for the game-winning touchdown before Larry pounced on a loose ball and secured EWU’s first win of the season. This is Larry’s first Player of the Week honor.
Sambrano, a 5-11, 175-pound senior from Temecula, Calif., returned a punt 43 yards for a touchdown and averaged 32.8 yards per return in Montana’s 55-28 win over Northern Colorado. Sambrano returned for punts for 143 yards. He also had returns of 35 and 44 yards, setting up a field goal and a touchdown. Sambrano also caught two passes for 13 yards. This is his second career Player of the Week award.
Others Nominated
Offense - Rodrick Rumble, WR, Idaho State; Gerald Kemp, QB, Montana; Elvis Akpla, WR, Montana State; Brandyn Reed, WR, Sacramento State; Mike Hoke, QB, Weber State
Defense - A.J. Storms, LB, Idaho State; Alex Shaw, LB, Montana; Clarence Bumpas, LB, Northern Colorado; Ian Sluss, LB, Portland State; Ryan McMahon, DB, Sacramento State; Nick Webb, LB, Weber State
Special Teams - Brendon Garcia, K, Idaho State; Dominic Gunn, Ret., Northern Colorado John Hendershott, Ret., Sacramento State