By DENISE THOMPSON, BIG SKY CONFERENCE
This week’s Big Sky Conference Players of the Week went to UC Davis’ Keelan Doss for the Offensive Player of the Week, Portland State’s Beau Duronslet for the Defensive Player of the Week and Northern Colorado’s Collin Root for the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Doss went into San Diego State and posted a Big Sky-best 181 receiving yards on eight receptions. Against a team receiving votes in both national FBS polls, Doss shined for the Aggies. Doss’ single-game total was the third-highest in program history, and the second-highest of his career, trailing only his 202-yard performance from a year ago. Doss was responsible for the Aggie’s first touchdown of the season, which was a 41-yarder on the first play of the game. Doss had four catches of 30 or more yards (41-30-38-32) to aid in his performance.
Duronslet made eight tackles, including one for loss on Saturday for Portland State. The linebacker had an interception and a fumble recovery in the third quarter. The offense turned each takeaway into a touchdown and a 20-14 Viking lead, as the Vikings were one minute away from upsetting Oregon State on the road, falling 35-32 after the Beavers scored with 1:08 left in the game and the Vikings missed a 46-yard field goal attempt that went wide right with time expiring.
Placekicker Collin Root set a new school record in Northern Colorado’s 41-14 win over the College of Idaho, when he hit a 56-yard field goal during the third quarter. Root’s field goal broke a 24-year old record previously set at 54 yards. The freshman also connected on both of his PATs and kicked off three times, earning a touchback twice.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week: Terence Grady, Eastern Washington; Ty Flanagan, Idaho State; Josh Kraught, Portland State; Jerry Louie-McGee, Montana; Cory Young, Northern Arizona; Trae Riek, Northern Colorado; Patrick Tyler, Southern Utah.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week: Mason Montgomery, Cal Poly; Mitch Fettig, Eastern Washington; Anthony Ricks, Idaho State; Tucker Schye, Montana; Mac Bignell, Montana State; Jake Disterhaupt, North Dakota; Issiah Swopes; Northern Colorado; Dre Terrell, Sacramento State; Chinedu Ahanonu, Southern Utah; Jordan Preator, Weber State.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week: Jordan Descalo, Eastern Washington; Parker Johnson, Idaho State; Eric Williams, Montana; Reid Taubenheim, North Dakota; Griffin Roehler, Northern Arizona; Devon Medeiros, Sacramento State; Trey Tuttle, Weber State.
