COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Nate Beard (Air Force), Andy Bowers
(Utah) and Troy Mason (UNLV) were named Mountain West Conference Players
of the Week for their performances on the football field last weekend. It
is the first MWC Player of the Week honor for all three players.
Nate Beard, Air Force, FB, Senior (MWC Offensive Player of the Week)
The senior from Grand Junction, Colo., rushed for a career-high 149 yards on 25 carries and scored three touchdowns in Air Force's 44-40 victory over Colorado State. Two of his three touchdowns gave Air Force the lead in the game and improved the Falcons record to 32-6 since 1990 when the fullback position rushes for 100 yards or more. Beard's 149 rushing yards was also the most by a Falcon this season and the highest rushing total since Cale Bonds recorded 167 in 1998.
Andy Bowers, Utah, LB, Senior (MWC Defensive Player of the Week)
Andy Bowers tallied a season high seven tackles (three unassisted) and two sacks (-18 yards) in Utah's 34-0 win at Wyoming. Bowers, a senior from Salt Lake City, Utah, also broke up a pass, caused a fumble and had one quarterback hurry in the victory.
Troy Mason, UNLV, KR/WR, Sophomore (MWC Special Teams Player of the Week)
Sophomore Troy Mason, a product of Bastrop, La., posted an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave UNLV a 12-6 lead over New Mexico. The 84-yard return was the longest punt return in the Mountain West Conference this season, second-longest in league history, and helped pace the Rebels to an 18-14 victory. Mason leads the MWC in punt returns and ranks seventh nationally with a 17.5 average.
