FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 2, 2023) – Idaho picked up two weekly honors, while Weber State snatched the other as Big Sky Football Player of the Week awards were announced following this past Saturday’s slate of games.
Offensive Player of the Week: Anthony Woods (Idaho)
Anthony Woods had a career day rushing the ball in Idaho's 44-36 win over No. 19 Eastern Washington, as the sophomore racked up over 200 yards and five touchdowns on the ground to win his first Big Sky Football Offensive Player of the Week honor. The five touchdowns on the ground were the most in the Big Sky since fellow Vandal running back Roshaun Johnson scored six against Southern Utah in 2021. The five touchdowns also tied for the most so far this season by any FCS rusher.
Defensive Player of the Week: Winston Reid (Weber State)
Winston Reid, who was named the Preseason Big Sky Defensive MVP, played a huge role in Weber State's comeback win at Northern Colorado as the Wildcats scored 21 unanswered points and picked off three passes in the fourth quarter to defeat the Bears 28-21. With the score tied 21-21, Winston picked off a UNC pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown with 1:46 remaining in the game. It was Reid’s first career touchdown and his second career interception. He had five solo tackles and five assisted tackles for his 10 tackles.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Jermaine Jackson (Idaho)
Jermaine Jackson won Idaho's third Big Sky Football Special Teams Player of the Week honor of the season, after jumpstarting the Vandal offense in their 44-36 win at No. 19 Eastern Washington. Jackson had four kick returns for 151 yards, including an 84-yard return to spark the Vandal offense. The Vandals scored on the ensuing drive and it was the first of 23 unanswered points to put the game out of reach for EWU. Jackson also earned 31 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards in the game as well.
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Others Nominated
Off: Sean Chambers (Montana State), Kaiden Bennett (Sac State), Jared Taylor (EWU), Kris Jackson (Weber State), Clifton McDowell (Montana)
Def: Brody Grebe (Montana State), Kameron Rocha (Sac State), Keyshawn James-Newby (Idaho), Braxton Hill (Montana), Brody Grebe (Montana State)
ST: Jack Burgess (Weber State), Travis Benham (Montana), George Triplett (Portland State)
2023 Big Sky Football Players of the Week
9/4: Hayden Hatten, Idaho (Offensive); Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly (Defensive); Abraham Williams, Weber State (Special Teams)
9/11: Damon Bankston, Weber State (Offensive); Jack Kelly, Weber State (Defensive); Ricardo Chavez, Idaho (Special Teams)
9/18: Kaiden Bennett, Sac State (Offensive); Jett Stanley, Sac State (Defensive); Zach Schreiner, Sac State (Special Teams)
9/25: Sean Chambers, Montana State (Offensive); Eloi Kwete, NAU (Defensive); Ricardo Chavez, Idaho (Special Teams)
10/2: Anthony Woods, Idaho (Offensive); Winston Reid, Weber State (Defensive); Jermaine Jackson, Idaho (Special Teams)