OGDEN (09/07/2015)- The Big Sky Conference announced its first class of ROOT Sports Players of the Week for the 2015 season.
Each week, the Big Sky Conference and ROOT Sports combine to recognize the top players in the conference in offense, defense, and special teams, as nominated by each institution’s sports information directors.
The ROOT Sports Offensive Player of the Week is awarded to two players for this week, as
Cooper Kupp (WR/Eastern Washington) and
Emmanuel Butler (WR/Northern Arizona) combined to win the award. The ROOT Sports Defensive Player of the Week is awarded to
Aaron Sibley (CB/Portland State). The ROOT Sports Special Teams Player of the Week is awarded to
Alex Vega (K/Cal Poly).
Two-time All-America wide receiver Cooper Kupp finished with career highs of 15 catches for 246 yards – both Autzen Stadium records – in a 61-42 loss to Oregon on Sept. 5. Both of those marks against the Ducks were the second-best in school history, ranking behind the records of 17 receptions (Aaron Boyce versus Montana on 10/6/07) and 264 yards (Jason Anderson versus Montana on 9/17/94). He now has 40 touchdown catches in his career, moving him from 19th to 12th in FCS history after catching three touchdowns against the Ducks.
Butler had a career night in a 34-28 NAU win over No. 24 Stephen F. Austin. It took two minutes for Butler to make his first catch of the game and it came in thrilling fashion as he rolled right past the SFA defense and into the end zone with a 57-yard touchdown catch. By halftime, Butler had three catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t score in the third, but made up for it in the fourth with a 36-yard touchdown catch from wide receiver Alex Holmes on the switch. His 216 yards was a new career high, almost totaling his yards from a year ago; in addition to his new career high for touchdowns in a game.
Sibley played a key role in the secondary, as Portland State upset Washington State 24-17 on Saturday. He made four tackles, including one for loss and broke up a pass. But his biggest plays of the day were a blocked field goal in the first half, and a game-sealing interception in the final minute of play.
Vega literally lifted Cal Poly to victory on Saturday, as his first field goal attempt as a Mustang was a game-winner – a 49-yarder with four seconds remaining at Montana to give Cal Poly the 20-19 victory. His longest field goal in high school was 37 yards. Vega also averaged 58.8 yards on six kickoffs with one touchback.
Nominees for the ROOT Sports Offensive Player of the Week included: Jamaal Jones (Montana); Alex Kuresa (Portland State); Mike Sharp (Southern Utah); Ben Scott (UC Davis); Michael Sanders (Idaho State); Daniel Kniffin (Sacramento State); Mitchell Herbert (Montana State); Trae Riek (Northern Colorado); and Chris Brown (Quarterback, Cal Poly).
Nominees for the ROOT Sports Defensive Player of the Week included: Josh Burton (Weber State); Taj Rich (North Dakota); Samson Ebukam (Eastern Washington); Josh Bamrick (Northern Arizona); Kendrick Van Ackeren (Montana); Mike Needham (Southern Utah); Kyle DeVaughn (UC Davis); CJ Langlow (Idaho State); Joey Banks (Sacramento State); Mac Bignell (Montana State); and B.J. Nard (Cal Poly).
Nominees for the ROOT Sports Special Teams Player of the Week included: Simba Webster (Eastern Washington); Daniel Sullivan (Montana); Marcus Minsella (Portland State); Colby Wadman (UC Davis); Isiah Hennie (Sacramento State); and Bryson McCabe (Montana State).