FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 5, 2022) – Big Sky Football Player of the Week awards were announced by the league office on Monday following an exciting Week 1 of play, as quarterback Gunner Talkington (Eastern Washington), linebacker Braxton Hill (Montana) and running back Cameron Skattebo (Sacramento State) collected their first weekly honors of their careers.
Defensive Player of the Week – Braxton Hill (Montana)
Braxton Hill earned his first weekly award after the junior linebacker led an impressive defensive effort in Montana’s 47-0 win over Northwestern State.
Making his first career start in maroon and silver, Hill was one of Montana’s main catalysts on defense, racking up a career-high 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and getting in on a half sack. Overall, the unit held the Demons to just 19 rushing yards and 212 yards of total offense while allowing the visitors to cross into Montana territory just three times.
Offensive Player of the Week – Gunner Talkington (EWU)
Gunner Talkington, who was making just his second start at quarterback in his six-year career with Eastern Washington, earned his first weekly honor after leading the Eagles to a 36-29 victory over Tennessee State in Week 1.
The redshirt senior entered the game with five career touchdown passes and equaled that in just one contest, as Talkington had five scores to go along with his 348 passing yards and 60 rushing yards on the day. With the game tied 29-29 with just under seven minutes to go, Talkington orchestrated an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 3:53 off the clock and ended with a 13-yard strike to Efton Chism III for the game’s winning touchdown.
EWU has now won seven of the last 13 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week awards, as Talkington adds to 2021 Walter Payton Award winner Eric Barriere’s record of six last season.
Special Teams Player of the Week – Cameron Skattebo (Sacramento State)
Cameron Skattebo collected weekly awards on the special teams side, after the running back did a little bit of everything in Sacramento State’s 56-33 win over Utah Tech in Week 1. Skattebo scored three touchdowns in the game with one each rushing, receiving and on a kickoff return.
His most electric play of the night came midway through the fourth quarter and has led to national attention. After Utah Tech scored to pull within 17, Skattebo went on to the field as part of the hands team to cover a possible onside kick. That kick came to him on a perfect hop which he caught and immediately turned up field. Skattebo was met by the kicker at the Utah Tech 29-yard line and eventually carried three other players into the end zone from 10-yards out for a 43-yard kickoff return.
Skattebo also rushed for a career high 153 yards and just 10 attempts and scored a career long 57-yard touchdown. Skattebo also caught two passes for 20 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown where he delivered a punishing blow at the goal line.
Others Nominated
Off: Lucas Johnson (Montana), Beau Kelly (Portland State), Asher O’Hara (Sacramento State), Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis), Jermaine Jackson (Idaho), Elijah Dotson (UNC)
Def: Tyreese Shakir (Portland State), Sebastian Valdez (MSU), Marcus Harris (Idaho), Caleb Nelson (Sacramento State), Mitchell Johnson (EWU), Anderson Maxwell (Weber State), Sheldon Newton (NAU)
ST: Levi Janacaro (Montana), Nick Kokich (EWU), Haze Hadley (Weber State), Eemil Herranen (NAU), Ricardo Chavez (Idaho)
