FARMINGTON, Utah -- Montana State kicker Tristan Bailey has been named the Big Sky Conference ROOT SPORTS Special Teams performer of the week, the league announced on Monday.
Bailey converted three field goals, two in the final 12 minutes, to aide in Montana State’s 23-14 win at Western Illinois on Saturday. Bailey nailed a 41-yarder with 11 minutes, 13 seconds to play to push the Bobcat lead to 20-14, then hit a 47-yarder with 2:40 remaining to give the Bobcats a two-possession lead. The senior kicked both the fourth-quarter field goals into a prevailing wind as strong as 15 mph. Bailey finished the day 3-for-3 on field goals, 2-for-2 on extra points, and he averaged 62.7 yards on his six kickoffs, with a pair of touchbacks and one other pin inside the 25-yard line.
For the season, Bailey has connected on five of his seven field goals with Saturday's 47-yarder a season's best. He has recorded 16 kickoffs for an average of 60.9 yards with six touchbacks. He currently leads the Bobcats (2-1) in scoring with 23 points this fall.
Montana State running back Logan Jones (21 rushes, 167 yards, two touchdowns) was nominated for the offensive player of the week award, as was Montana Grizzly receiver Jerry Louie-McGee (six receptions, 66 yards). Bobcats defensive end Bryce Sterk (seven tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack) and Grizzlies linebacker Dante Olson (14 tackles, 10 solo) earned nominations for the defensive player of the week honor.
UC Davis quarterback Jake Maier (38-49, 389 yards, four touchdowns) was named the league's offensive player of the week, while Sacramento State defensive lineman Dariyn Choates (six tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles) collected defensive player of the week accolades.
