FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 30, 2021) - The Southern Utah trio of Justin Miller, Kobe Singleton and Jake Gerardi were named the ROOT SPORTS Big Sky Football Players of the Week, as the Thunderbirds were rewarded for their efforts in Week 0.
The weekly honors are the first for SUU since Manny Berz won Special Teams Player of the Week on March 14, 2021, this past spring. The recognitions are also the first for all three Thunderbirds in their collegiate careers.
Quarterback Justin Miller was the top offensive performer for the Thunderbirds this past Saturday, as he passed for 117 yards and caught a touchdown pass off a trick play for the first official touchdown for the Big Sky in 2021.
Defensive Back Kobe Singleton provided a spark for the Thunderbirds as the freshman picked off San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel and returned it 18 yards for the score. Singleton also tacked on three tackles in his first collegiate game.
Punter Jake Gerardi had a career day in the season opener, as the junior lifted five punts for an average of 47.2 yards per kick. Gerardi boomed a career-long 70-yard punt, while pinning San Jose State on its own two-yard line on another occasion. SUU's punter leads the FCS with his 47.2 average, while the 70-yarder is the longest so far for any punter this season.
SUU has a quick turnaround this week, as the Thunderbirds travel to FBS foe Arizona State on Thursday, Sept. 2. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. MT with the game being broadcast live on the PAC-12 Network.
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