Sept. 26, 2011
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -
Chris Nwoke (Colorado State), Deon Long (New Mexico), Shaquil Barrett (Colorado State) and Tanner Hedstrom (Colorado State) are the Mountain West Players of the Week for games through Sept. 24. All four are receiving the award for the first time in their careers.
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CHRIS NWOKE, COLORADO STATE
Sophomore, Running Back, Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge HS
Chris Nwoke finished with 102 yards of total offense (85 rushing, 17 receiving) and scored two touchdowns in Colorado State's 35-34 double-overtime victory at Utah State. Nwoke tied the game with a 1-yard touchdown run with 42 seconds left in regulation, then provided the game-winner with a 2-yard run on CSU's second possession in overtime. It was Nwoke's first career game with multiple touchdowns and the second time in his career with 100 or more all-purpose yards.
DEON LONG, NEW MEXICO
Freshman, Wide Receiver, Washington, D.C./West Virginia, Dunbar HS
Deon Long broke the school and Mountain West single-game record with 378 all-purpose yards in New Mexico's 45 overtime loss to Sam Houston State. Offensively, Long caught nine passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns, including a 20-yard scoring reception that tied the game with 27 seconds left in regulation. Long's 209 yards set a new MW single-game record for most by a freshman, while his three receiving TDs tied an MW freshman mark. Long opened the game with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving him four TDs on the night to tie the MW freshman record for scoring with 24 points. Long's 378 all-purpose yards are the most by a player in the FBS this season.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
SHAQUIL BARRETT, COLORADO STATE
Sophomore, Linebacker, Baltimore, Md./Nebraska-Omaha, Boys Town HS
Shaquil Barrett finished with a team-high 14 tackles (six solo) to pace Colorado State's defense in a 35-34 double-overtime win at Utah State. He also added his first career fumble recovery for a touchdown. With CSU trailing 14-3, Barrett returned a fumble 15 yards for the Rams' first touchdown of the game. On Utah State's ensuing possession, Barrett notched his first career solo sack on third down, forcing the Aggies to punt. Barrett's efforts helped Colorado State start the season 3-1 for the second time since 2009.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TANNER HEDSTROM, COLORADO STATE
Sophomore, Long Snapper, Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins HS
Tanner Hedstrom recovered two fumbles on muffed punts, including a critical takeaway to set up the game-tying score Colorado State's 35-34 double-overtime win at Utah State. With the Rams trailing 21-13 and less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Hedstrom recovered his second muffed punt of the day. Colorado State scored on the ensuing possession and converted the two-point try to send the game into overtime.
