Sept. 8, 2008

Ogden, UT --- Idaho State got themselves a Big Sky Player of the Week in football, but probably not the one most fans were thinking of. JD Ponciano was named Special Teams Player of the Week, along with a pair of Montana players in running back Andrew Schmidt for offense and linebacker Brandon Fisher for defense.

Ponciano, a 5-10, 180-pound senior from Vancouver, Wash., returned from a sports hernia to average 36 yards per kick return in Idaho State's 42-27 loss to Idaho, of the Football Bowl Subdivision. Ponciano finished with 144 yards on his four kick returns, breaking off returns of 60 and 44 yards. Ponciano's 29.5 career average is second in ISU history.

Schmidt, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior from Bozeman, ignited Montana's offense in its 30-28 road victory over No. 11 Cal Poly. Schmidt came off the bench and carried the ball 26 times for 145 yards and one touchdown. He had 22 carries for 127 yards in the second half, helping Montana rally from a 21-14 halftime deficit. Schmidt scored on a 4-yard run to give Montana a 30-21 lead with 11:07 to play. Schmidt also blocked a punt in the first quarter, setting up UM's first touchdown. Schmidt also had two unassisted tackles on special teams. Schmidt entered the game with 117 career rushing yards on 32 carries.

Fisher, a 5-10, 200-pound junior linebacker from Franklin, Tenn., registered six unassisted tackles, seven total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in the Grizzlies' victory over Cal Poly. With the score tied 21-21 early in the fourth quarter, Fisher forced a fumble at the Cal Poly 3-yard line. The ball ended up in the end zone, where the Grizzlies recovered for a safety to take a 23-21 lead. Fisher was making his first career start at linebacker.

ISU's Eddie Thompson was up for the offensive award, but his 17 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown in the 42-27 loss wasn't enough. He is the second player in the league in as many years to catch 17 balls and not get the offensive award, after Eastern Washington's Aaron Boyce did the same thing last week, and Boyce actually broke the 200-yard barrier in his game.

Others Nominated for Weekly Award
Offense
Matt Nichols, QB, Eastern Washington
Eddie Thompson, WR, Idaho State
Conrad Meadows, WR, Northern Arizona
Ryan Chesla, TE, Northern Colorado
Tony Washington, WR, Sacramento State
Tim Toone, WR, Weber State

Defense
J.C. Sherritt, LB, Eastern Washington
Anthony Llanos, LB, Northern Arizona
Quincy Wofford, CB, Northern Colorado
Cyrus Mulitalo, LB, Sacramento State
Kevin Linehan, LB, Weber State

Special Teams
Felipe Macias, K, Eastern Washington
Marc Mariani, Ret., Montana
Robbie Dehaze, K, Northern Arizona
Juan Gamboa, K, Sacramento State