Adams, Coyle, Epperson, Hubbard Earn ROOT SPORTS Honors
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OGDEN, Utah (Nov. 25, 2013) - The Big Sky Conference has selected the final ROOT SPORTS football Players of the Week for the 2013 football season. Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams is the Offensive Player of the Week. Montana’s Brock Coyle is the Defensive Player of the Week. Cal Poly returner Alex Hubbard and Weber State punter Tony Epperson are the Co-Special Teams Players of the Week.
Adams, a 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore from Pasadena, Calif., completed 34-of-56 passes for 457 yards and five touchdowns, leading No. 3 Eastern Washington to a 42-41 win over Portland State. Adams threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp with 31 seconds left in the game. Adams broke the single-season Big Sky record for touchdown passes in a season with 46. He also set the Big Sky single-season record for total offense, hiking his total to 4,550 yards. Adams’ 457 passing yards tied his career high. His 34 completions and 56 attempts were also career-highs. Adams hiked his season passing total to 4,059 yards. This is Adams fourth ROOT SPORTS Player of the Week honor.
Coyle, a 6-2, 245-pound linebacker from Bozeman, Mont., recorded 14 tackles, two forced fumbles, a sack and two tackles for loss in Montana’s 28-14 win over Montana State. Coyle registered 13 total tackles. Both of his forced fumbles were recovered by the Grizzlies. The second one in the fourth quarter led to a touchdown that put the Grizzlies up 21-7. Montana held Montana State to 112 rushing yards and 272 yards of total offense.
Hubbard, a 5-9, 185-pound senior from Fairfield, Calif., returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in Cal Poly’s 42-14 win at Northern Colorado. It was Cal Poly’s first kick return for a touchdown in 11 seasons. Hubbard finished with 128 kick return yards, and also had a 10-yard punt return. The safety also had seven tackles and an interception.
Epperson, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior from Park City, Utah averaged 49.7 yards per punt in Weber State’s 32-7 win over Idaho State. Epperson booted an 86-yard punt, setting the school record. He also had an 84 yard punt. Epperson punted eight times for an average of 49.6 yards per punt. Epperson also set the FCS single-season record for punts in a season with 101. Epperson ended his career as the school’s all-time leader in punting average at 43.6 yards per punt.
Others Nominated
OFFENSE
Chris Brown, QB, Cal Poly
Xavier Finney, RB, Idaho State
Jordan Johnson, QB, Montana
Zach Bauman, RB, Northern Arizona
Kasey Closs, WR, Portland State
Toe Afatasi, RB, Southern Utah
Gabe Manzanares, RB, UC Davis
Josh Booker, RB, Weber State
DEFENSE
Johnny Millard, LB, Cal Poly
Ronnie Hamlin, LB, Eastern Washington
Mitch Beckstead, LB, Idaho State
Blair Wishom, S, Northern Arizona
Courtney Hall, S, Northern Colorado
Xavier Coleman, CB, Portland State
Zak Browning, LB, Southern Utah
Seven Pitts, LB, UC Davis
Anthony Morales, LB, Weber State
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kevin Miller, K, Eastern Washington
Brock Miller, P, Southern Utah
Justin Weldon, P, Sacramento State
Brady Stuart, K, UC Davis