FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 6, 2023) – Four standouts were awarded Big Sky Football Player of the Week honors, as Montana's Clifton McDowell, Eastern Washington's Da’Marcus Johnson, Idaho's Marcus Harris and Portland State's Gianni Smith were honored after their performances this past Saturday.
Offensive Player of the Week: Clifton McDowell (Montana)
Clifton McDowell racked up over 300 yards of total offense and two touchdowns, as the Montana quarterback led the Griz to a 34-7 win against No. 7 Sacramento State over the weekend. McDowell passed for 218 yards, while adding another 83 on the ground and 24 as a receiver. The biggest play of the game came from McDowell himself, after he connected on a deep ball to Keelan White for a 97-yard touchdown. The Griz were leading just 21-7 in the fourth quarter before McDowell delivered the clutch throw from his own endzone.
Co-Defensive Players of the Week: Da’Marcus Johnson (EWU)/Marcus Harris (Idaho)
Da’Marcus Johnson earned five tackles, one sack, a QB hurry and forced two fumbles that were recovered for turnovers in Eastern Washington’s 48-13 win against Cal Poly. The Eagles only allowed one offensive touchdown in the win.
Marcus Harris recorded five tackles, one for loss, and had an interception that he returned 70 yards for a touchdown in Idaho’s 27-13 win at Northern Colorado. The interception came in the fourth quarter with Idaho leading just 20-13. Overall, the Vandal defense held the Bears to just 55 yards passing.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Gianni Smith (Portland State)
Gianni Smith delivered the big foot in Portland State’s 37-23 loss to UC Davis, kicking the two longest field goals of his career – 55 and 51 yards – and a 42-yarder as part of his career-best 11 points. The 55-yarder was the second-longest in Vikings’ history. Smith also made both of his extra point attempts and averaged 63.3 yards on six kickoffs, including three touchbacks.
The Viking kicker was also honored as the FedEx Ground FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week following his outstanding performance on Saturday. For that full story, click
here.
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Others Nominated
Off: Lan Larison (UC Davis), Richie Munoz (Weber State), Altahir Tuna (EWU), Hayden Hatten (Idaho), Jermaine Braddock (Portland State),
Def: Garrett Beck (Weber State), Alex Gubner (Montana), Parker McKenna (Portland State)
ST: Jack Burgess (Weber State), Soren McKee (EWU), Ricardo Chavez (Idaho), Junior Bergen (Montana), Hunter Green (Northern Colorado)