Vandals Lose Williams For Saturday; Ewu’s Sherick Hobbled

Idaho will be without free safety Montrell Williams on Saturday and Eastern Washington might not have quarterback Brian Sherick.

The football injury report for the Big Sky Conference schools was light, but serious.

Williams, a senior, who damaged his knee in a 55-43 win over Montana Saturday, was leading the country in kickoff returns.

Williams won’t play in Saturday’s game at Weber State, but it isn’t known if his injury is season- and career-ending.

“The doctor looked at it (Monday),” UI coach Chris Tormey said. “They’ll probably go in (to operate) next week” to see what’s wrong.

Tormey said Travis Coffey, a senior from Bonners Ferry, will replace Williams. Cornerback Jason O’Neil would back up Coffey.

EWU’s Sherick strained his knee on a first-half scramble during a 30-16 setback to Northern Arizona and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game at Montana State.

“Brian is really bruised up right now,” EWU coach Mike Kramer said.

MSU will be without quarterback Jeff Tuss, who broke his wrist in a loss to Weber State. Freshman Todd Buchanan replaced Tuss.

Hisaw honored

Idaho quarterback Eric Hisaw nabbed Big Sky offensive player of the week by passing for 310 yards and running for 50 yards against Montana on Saturday.

Hisaw tied a school record, shared by five other quarterbacks, with his six touchdown passes. He also ran for a score.

Hisaw’s performance moved him into a tie with Montana quarterback Dave Dickenson at No. 2 nationally in passing efficiency at 165.5. Dickenson passed for 558 yards Saturday.

Weber linebacker Jacob Belmont, who had 16 tackles in a 14-7 win over Montana State, captured defensive honors. Boise State’s Greg Erickson, with two field goals in a 27-17 win over Idaho State, won the special teams award.

Grizzlies slip

Saturday’s defeat dropped Montana (6-2) from No. 6 to No. 10 in The Sports Network I-AA poll. Northern Arizona (6-2) jumped from No. 21 to No. 16 and Boise State (4-3) climbed back in the rankings at No. 25.

Idaho State (5-2) and Montana State (5-3) fell out of the ratings after losses on Saturday.

Pac-10 standouts

UCLA’s Karim Abdul-Jabbar, off 261 yards on 42 carries in a 42-28 victory over Stanford, is the Pac-10 offensive player of the week.

California linebacker Duane Clemons had nine tackles in a 13-12 victory over Oregon State to corral defensive honors. Teammate Ryan Longwell won special teams recognition by averaging 40.9 yards on 11 punts and connecting on the game-winning PAT from 35 yards after a Cal penalty.

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