Eastern Defender Honored

Eastern Washington linebacker Dion Alexander, who helped stymie a last-gasp Sacramento State drive and preserve the Eagles’ 21-18 football win on Saturday in Cheney, was named the Big Sky Conference defensive player of the week.

He had a career-high 15 tackles and jumped three spots to No. 6 on EWU’s career tackles list.

“At times, he was carrying the whole defense on his back,” EWU coach Mike Kramer said.

Weber State’s Scott Shields won the special teams award, hitting four field goals in a 49-14 rout of St. Mary’s.

Offensive honors went to Northern Arizona’s Rod Marshall, who put his name in the NCAA Division 1-AA record book with five touchdown receptions in a 62-0 drubbing Abilene Christian.

Marshall shares the record for TD grabs with three others, including Jerry Rice.

Injury report

Idaho’s Eric Johnson suffered a sprained knee in Saturday’s rout of Sonoma State, but he’s expected to return for Idaho State on Sept. 30. The Vandals have an open date this Saturday.

Reserve linebacker James Durrough is questionable for ISU due to a knee injury.

Running back Joel Thomas, who missed the Sonoma game after having knee surgery last week, is expected to practice Sunday and be ready for the Bengals.

EWU’s Tom Ackerman is expected to return from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Sac State game for Portland State on Saturday. He’ll probably move from tackle to guard, as EWU coaches are pleased with sophomore Jim Buzzard’s work at tackle.

Offensive lineman Ken Henningsen will have arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday and could return for the Weber State game Sept. 30.

EWU coaches are monitoring the condition of backup linebacker Terry Cloer, who missed Saturday’s game after suffering a concussion in practice earlier in the week. The concussion resulted in a degenerative disc in his neck and there’s some concern the injury may be season- and/or career-ending.

Vandals climb

Idaho’s 66-3 blistering of Sonoma State helped push the Vandals (1-1) from No. 16 to No. 13 in The Sports Network I-AA poll this week.

Boise State (2-0) is rated third, Montana (2-1) sixth and Northern Arizona (2-1) is No. 22.

McNeese State (3-0) remained No. 1.

Vandal JVs have game

Idaho’s junior varsity will play Walla Walla Community College in the Kibbie Dome at 2 p.m. on Friday. Admission is free to the Vandals’ lone JV game this year.

Walk-ons will comprise most of the Vandals’ roster.

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