FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 18, 2023) – After an exciting win over Pac-12 stalwart Stanford, the Sacramento State trio of Kaiden Bennett, Jett Stanley and Zach Schreiner were honored as Big Sky Football Players of the Week.
The Hornets are the first team to earn a clean sweep of the Big Sky Football Player of the Week awards since Southern Utah collected all three in Week 0 of the 2021 season.
Offensive Player of the Week: Kaiden Bennett (Sacramento State)
Kaiden Bennett passed for a career-best 279 yards through the air and gained 100 yards on the ground, as the Hornet quarterback led Sacramento State to a 30-23 victory over Stanford this past Saturday night. The junior completed 21-of-33 passes, including a 49-yard touchdown with 1:32 remaining to break a 23-23 tie, while also rushing in a two-yard score. Bennett’s rushing total is the second highest against an FBS opponent in school history and his passing total ranks fourth in the Hornet record book.
Defensive Player of the Week: Jett Stanley (Sacramento State)Jett Stanley led a tenacious Hornet defense in the 30-23 win at Stanford. The senior accounted for half of the team’s six sacks, with a timely one coming under four minutes to play that forced a punt with Stanford still leading 23-20 at the time. Stanley also earned five total tackles, three for loss, with an additional quarterback hurry. Stanley and the Sacramento State defense also limited Stanford to no touchdowns in the second half.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Zach Schreiner (Sacramento State)Zach Schreiner connected on all three of his field goals and each of his extra point attempts, which proved to be crucial in Sacramento State’s 30-23 win at Stanford. The junior converted field goals of 24, 22 and 44 yards, with his 44-yarder tying the game at 23-23 with 4:13 remaining. Schreiner has now made his last five field goal attempts of the season and is 6-of-7 on the year.
Others Nominated
Off: Kekoa Visperas (EWU), Quincy Craig (Portland State), Sam Huard (Cal Poly), Eli Gillman (Montana), Lan Larison (UC Davis)
Def: Braxton Hill (Montana), Jaren Banks (EWU), David Meyer (Cal Poly), Winston Reid (Weber State)
ST: Gianni Smith (Portland State), Junior Bergen (Montana), Hunter Ridley (UC Davis)
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)
