Big Sky Salutes Two Eagles

Two members of the Eastern Washington University football team that rolled over Central Washington 44-14 Saturday were honored by the Big Sky Conference on Monday.

Linebacker Britt Lentz shared defensive honors with Montana strong safety Vince Huntsberger while the special teams award went to Lamont Brightful of Eastern.

Lentz had a career-high 15 tackles, recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal attempt. Brightful returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and had 120 yards on two returns.

Idaho State running back Nick Whitworth is the offensive pick for a second consecutive week. He rushed 25 times for a schoolrecord 276 yards and two TDs as Idaho State dumped Fort Lewis 42-3. After 221 yards the first week, he leads the nation in pergame rushing average.

Huntsberger had 15 tackles, broke up two passes and had one quarterback sack for minus 10 yards as Montana struggled to a 41-38 double-overtime win over Sacramento State.

Western QB sidelined

R.J. Del Mese, Western Washington’s backup quarterback from Spokane, is expected to recuperate at home after suffering a concussion in the Vikings’ 48-28 loss at Portland State on Saturday.

Del Mese, a junior from Central Valley, was hospitalized as a precautionary measure after the game. He was to be released Monday.

It is believed he suffered the injury after taking hits on two consecutive plays late in the third quarter. He remained in the game and threw a touchdown pass, but was taken out two plays into the following series.

Del Mese, No. 2 behind sophomore Scott Mitchell, who transfered from Eastern Washington, was 4 for 8 for 112 yards and the one score.

Del Mese was joined at Western this season by former high school teammate Georgio Usai, who transfered after a record-setting sophomore season at Yuba (Calif.) Community College. Usai gained 67 yards on 17 carries and scored on a 17-yard run in his first game for the Vikings.