Crowell, Nelson and Thiessen Named Mountain West Conference Players of the Week

Thiessen and Crowell garner honor for the second time this season.

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Oct. 16, 2000

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. ­ Mike Thiessen (Air Force), Rick Crowell (Colorado State) and Rhett Nelson (Colorado State) were named Mountain West Conference Players of the Week for their performances on the football field last weekend. Thiessen and Crowell were honored for the second time this season, while Nelson captured his first career player of the week award.

Mike Thiessen, Air Force, QB, Senior (MWC Offensive Player of the Week)

Mike Thiessen had his best performance as a Falcon in Air Force¹s 51-34 victory at Wyoming. Thiessen, a senior from Modesto, Calif., rushed for 126 yards and a Mountain West Conference record tying four touchdowns. The four rushing touchdowns is also tied for the third most in Academy history and the most since Dee Dowis had a school record six in 1989. Thiessen also completed eight of 13 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time this season and second time in his career that he has rushed and passed for over 100 yards in a game. Thiessen racked up a career high 319 total offensive yards in the contest, including an 81-yard pass to Scotty McKay. The 81-yard pass was the longest non-scoring pass in Air Force history and fourth longest overall.

Rick Crowell, Colorado State, LB, Senior (MWC Defensive Player of the Week)

Rick Crowell tallied 16 tackles, 12 unassisted, in the Rams 20-19 win over UNLV. The senior from Chula Vista, Calif., has recorded double-figure tackles in each of his five games played this season and moved into ninth on the Colorado State all-time tackles list with 313. He currently leads the MWC in tackles averaging 14 per game.

Rhett Nelson, Colorado State, CB, Sophomore (MWC Special Teams Player of the Week)

Sophomore Rhett Nelson blocked a UNLV extra point with 34 seconds remaining in the game to give Colorado State a 20-19 victory. It was the second crucial blocked kick by the Littleton, Colo., product in as many weeks. In the Rams conference opening 17-14 win against New Mexico a week ago, Nelson blocked a potential tying field goal.