FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 13, 2025) – The Big Sky Conference announced its Player of the Week honors, presented by
JAMBAR, with soccer, football, volleyball, cross country, women's golf and men's golf all in full swing.
Big Sky Football Players of the Week (Oct. 13, 2025)
Offensive Player of the Week: Caden Pinnick, UC Davis (QB, R-Fr., Loomis, Calif.)
For the second-straight week Caden Pinnick threw for over 300 yards on his way to leading No. 6 UC Davis to a 45-24 victory over No. 14 Northern Arizona, moving the Aggies to 3-0 in Big Sky play. Pinnick finished the night completing 25-of-29 passes for 348 yards and five passing touchdowns. The five passing touchdowns were the most thrown by an Aggie in a single game since 2018. The 86.2% completion percentage marks the second-straight week the freshman has completed at least 80% of his passes in a game. On the national stage, Pinnick’s five passing touchdowns are tied for the second most in the FCS this season. Pinnick’s 243.9 passing efficiency is the highest of the season in the Big Sky for a single game and ranks as the 13th highest of the season in the FCS. Pinnick has now won conference weekly honors three times this season, all coming in consecutive weeks. The three-straight offensive weekly honors are the most for a Big Sky player since Dalton Sneed won three consecutive honors during the 2019 season.
Co-Defensive Player of the Week: Cam Chapa, Northern Colorado (S, So., Aurora, Colo.)
Cam Chapa had 10 tackles, 8 being solos, an interception and tackle for loss to help Northern Colorado upset No. 11 Idaho 49-33 in Moscow. Chapa’s interception in the fourth quarter set up the game-ending drive with 2:32 remaining as the Bears would control the ball and run out the clock for the ranked victory. The home loss was the first for Idaho since 2023.
Co-Defensive Player of the Week: Kenzel Lawler, Montana (DB, R-Sr., Corona, Calif.)
Trailing 9-0 coming out of halftime, Kenzel Lawler picked off a pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown as he flipped momentum for Montana in the 28-9 victory over Cal Poly. Lawler’s interception for a score was the start of 28 unanswered points for the Grizzlies, as the Montana defense shut out the Mustangs in the second half and allowed just 60 yards of offense in the final 30 minutes. Lawler also added in a pair of tackles on the day for Montana.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Rodney Hammond Jr., Sacramento State (KR/RB, Sr., Norfolk, VA.)
Rodney Hammond, Jr. helped lead Sacramento State to a 55-27 victory at Weber State, as the senior accounted for three total touchdowns, including a 99-yard kickoff return for a score. After Weber State cut Sac State’s lead to two scores, Hammond fielded the kickoff at the 1-yard line and broke free through the middle of the field for the touchdown. The score was the longest kick return by a Sac State player since Tyrone Taylor also went 99 yards against Idaho State in 1996. Hammond's mark is tied for third in program history, trailing only a pair of 100-yard returns. The senior’s other kickoff return in the game went for 42 yards. He also rushed for 106 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Football Player of the Week
Offense: Elii Gillman (UM), Justin Lamson (MSU), Eric Gibson (UNC), Cardell Williams (SAC)
Defense: Alex Rocha (SAC), Jacob Psyk (UCD)
Special Teams: Ty Morrison (UM), Jacob Willig (UNC)
Big Sky Volleyball Players of the Week (Oct. 13, 2025)
Offensive Player of the Week: Madilyn Siebler, Montana State (OH, Sr., Omaha, Neb.)
Siebler recorded a career-high 21 kills to pace Montana State to a 3-2 win over Montana on Saturday night in Missoula. For the match, she averaged 4.20 kills while hitting .276 from the floor. Siebler set the tone for the Bobcats opening the match with six kills in the first set. In addition, she added 15 digs and a block as MSU moved atop the Big Sky standings with its fifth consecutive win over its rival.
Defensive Player of the Week: Lauren Lindseth, Montana State (L, Sr., Great Falls, Mont.)
Lindseth recorded a team-best 27 digs, averaging 5.40 per set as the Bobcats defeated rival Montana 3-2 for the fifth consecutive time and retaining the Main Line Trophy. Lindseth set the tone early for MSU racking up eight saves in the opening set. In addition, the CMR graduate received serve 35 times (the most for either team in the five-set marathon) without a reception error. Lindseth also dished out seven assists and registered one service ace as the Bobcats moved atop of the Big Sky Conference standings.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Volleyball Player of the Week
Offense: Abby McClain (ISU), Delaney Russell (UM), Gigi Greenlee (NAU), Brynn Reines (UNC), Alivia Eikenberg (PSU), Victoria Marthaler (SAC), Kaylie Ray (WSU)
Defense: Jenna Werbelow (ISU), Alexis Batezel (UM), Melia Barlow (NAU), Bella LaPore (UNC), Paige Stepaniuk (PSU), Reese Ampi (SAC)
Big Sky Soccer Players of the Week (Oct. 14, 2025)
TBD
Big Sky Cross Country Athletes of the Week (Oct 14, 2025)
TBD
Big Sky Women's Golfer of the Week (Oct. 16, 2025)
TBD
Big Sky Women's Golfer of the Week (Oct. 16, 2025)
TBD
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