(Editor's note: Big Sky Conference media release)
FARMINGTON, Utah -- The Big Sky Conference announced its ROOT SPORTS football players of the week on Monday. The ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week honor went to Sacramento State quarterback Kevin Thomson. UC Davis linebacker Nick Eaton earned ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week accolades, while Idaho State kicker Kevin Ryan was named the ROOT SPORTS Special Teams honoree.
Kevin Thomson quarterbacked Sacramento State to a 34-21 win over No. 6 Montana State on the road, handing the Bobcats their first FCS loss of the season. The junior completed 23-of-30 passes during the game to help the Hornets to a win over their highest-ranked opponent in school history. In the Hornets’ first win against Montana State in Bozeman since 1991, Thomson threw for 260 yards and completed touchdown passes of 7, 6 and 26 yards. He rushed for a team-high of 74 yards and ran for a pair of scores. Thomson was involved on every scoring play for the Hornets in the victory.
Freshman linebacker Nick Eaton powered a UC Davis defense that kept Cal Ploy off the scoreboard for the first 26 minutes of the game. Eaton tallied 7 tackles – all solo, as he registered 4.0 tackles for a loss of 14 yards in the 48-24 victory. He added a one-yard sack, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble which he recovered and returned 78 yards for a touchdown. Eaton swooped up the ball on the UCD 22-yard line as Cal Poly was threatening to score. The touchdown snapped a 24-0 Mustang scoring spree.
Kevin Ryan connected on a career-long 44-yard field goal in Idaho State’s 55-20 win over North Dakota. The sophomore also added a 39 yarder to help the Bengals remain undefeated at home this season. Ryan sailed 10 kickoffs for an average of 64.1 yards with six resulting in touchbacks. He was a perfect 7-for-7 in made PATs and added a pair of punts that pinned North Dakota inside the 20.
