Big Sky Honors Vandals’ Punter
Idaho freshman punter Justin Spiva’s fancy footwork has been honored by the Big Sky Conference.
Spiva was named the league’s special teams football player of the week after averaging 41.4 yards on five punts, including boots that were downed at Northern Arizona’s 1- and 2-yard line. Idaho defeated NAU 17-14 Saturday night.
Quarterback Tony Hilde, who passed for 355 yards and four touchdowns to lead Boise State to a 63-44 victory over Eastern Washington, is the offensive player of the week.
And Montana linebacker Jason Crebo won the defensive award after making 14 tackles in a 35-21 win over Idaho State.
Pac men
Arizona State quarterback Jake Plummer is the Pacific-10 Conference offensive player of the week after passing for 312 yards in a 37-33 win over UCLA.
Cal defensive end Regan Upshaw was honored for making seven tackles, five for losses of 23 yards, as the Bears drubbed Washington State 27-11.
Oregon kicker Joshua Smith earned special teams recognition by connecting on three field goals in a 24-22 win over Washington.
EWU injury toll mounts
Eastern Washington lost its eighth and ninth players to season-ending injuries when tight end Jesse Hardt (knee) and linebacker Justin Guillory (knee) went down in the Boise game.
Hardt finishes his career with 103 catches, including the last 27 games with at least one reception.
Guillory, a sophomore, had 67 tackles and broke up six passes.
Senior Tim Hunsaker replaces Hardt and JC transfer Ho Pak steps in for Guillory, though the Eagles may opt for another defensive back against pass-happy Montana on Saturday at Woodward Stadium in Cheney.
Maurice Perigo (broken bone in his hand) will continue playing cornerback for the Eagles, but he’ll be replaced on punt and kick returns by Tobin Phelps.
EWU’s injury news wasn’t all bad. Big-play receiver Jerrold Jackson, who missed four games after suffering concussions in two consecutive games, is expected to play Saturday. EWU will welcome back his 21.5-yards-per-catch average and team-high three TD catches.
Prime Sports will televise the EWU-Montana game live, beginning at 1 p.m.
Idaho reported no new injuries.
Jacks lose Lewis
Northern Arizona quarterback Jeff Lewis, an All-American candidate, suffered a broken collarbone when sacked by Idaho’s Ryan Phillips late in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game. Lewis is out for the season.
Lewis joins a growing list of Big Sky quarterbacks out for the season due to injury, including Montana State’s Jeff Tuss (wrist), Weber State’s Bryan Martin (shoulder) and Eastern Washington’s Brian Sherick (knee). In addition, Idaho State’s Robb Wetta (knee) missed some action before returning last week.
Poll shuffle
Montana (7-2) and Boise State (6-3) each moved up to No. 9 and No. 23, respectively, in The Sports Network I-AA poll.
Northern Iowa (6-3), whom Idaho faces on Saturday in Cedar Falls, dropped from No. 11 to No. 15 after losing to Illinois State 31-29. However, Northern Iowa has already clinched the Gateway Conference title and a I-AA playoff berth.
Northern Arizona (7-3), defeated 17-14 by Idaho, slipped from No. 13 to No. 17.
McNeese State (9-0) is still No. 1.
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