(Editor’s note: Big Sky Conference media release)
OGDEN, Utah – The Big Sky Conference announced its ROOT SPORTS Players of the Week. Montana State’s Isaiah Ifanse was named the ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week, while Idaho State’s Christian Holland was named the ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week and the Idaho’s Jalen Hoover earned ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Ifanse set a Montana State freshman record of 227 rushing yards in the Bobcats’ 49-42 win over Cal Poly. He had 22 carries for an average of 10.3 yards per rush and scored three touchdowns. Ifanse’s 227 yards was the most by a freshman in the FCS this season, and the most in the FCS since 2016. His 227-yard mark was the most by a Big Sky freshman since 2015. Ifanse had touchdown runs of 74, 29 and 28 yards.
Holland, a senior linebacker for the Bengals made key plays in the final minutes of Idaho State’s 48-45 road win at Portland State. He had 10 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery in the victory. Holland’s sack and fumble recovery came in the final three plays of the game to help ISU preserve the win.
Hoover had good hand-eye control in Idaho’s game on special teams, as he blocked a punt in the fourth quarter versus Top 25 North Dakota. With 8:16 remaining in the game and Idaho down by 10 points,
Hoover dove in front of the punter to block the punt as the kicker never had a chance to boot the ball due to the safety’s quick speed. Hoover’s teammate Connor Whitney scooped it up and ran the three yards into the end zone for the score and giving the Vandals the momentum they needed to push on and pick up the 31-27 win.
