DENVER - Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews, Idaho defensive end Aaron Lavarias and Fresno State punter Robert Malone were named the Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.
Mathews, a junior from Bakersfield, Calif. (West HS), rushed for 233 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in Fresno State's 41-21 win over San Jose State on Saturday. Mathews averaged 11.7 yards per carry and scored on a 59-yard run during the second quarter. It was the eighth best single-game performance by anyone in the nation this year and one yard shy of tying his career-best set earlier this year against Boise State.
Lavarias, a junior from Woodinville, Wash. (Woodinville HS), made four solo tackles, including two sacks for 10 yards, and forced a fumble in Idaho's victory over Hawai'i. The forced fumble came when Lavarias sacked Hawai'i's quarterback as the Warriors were driving inside Vandal territory. The fumble was recovered by Idaho and led to a touchdown and a 35-17 lead in the fourth quarter. Lavarias also added three quarterback hurries in the game.
Malone, a senior from Riverside, Calif. (Martin Luther King HS), punted four times for a 54.0-yard average in the game against San Jose State. That performance ties for the sixth best by any punter in the nation this year. He had a 69-yard punt, the longest by any WAC player this season, and none of his punts were returned. Fresno State improved to eighth in the nation in net punting.
Others nominated on offense: sophomore running back Doug Martin, Boise State; senior running back DeMaundray Woolridge, Idaho; senior tight end Dennis Morris, Louisiana Tech; junior running back Vai Taua, Nevada; and junior quarterback Diondre Borel, Utah State.
Also nominated on defense: junior defensive end Ryan Winterswyk, Boise State; senior safety Moses Harris, Fresno State; junior defensive end Kevin Basped, Nevada; and senior safety James Brindley, Utah State.
Other special teams nominations included: junior kicker Kyle Brotzman, Boise State; freshman safety Gary Walker, Idaho; freshman kicker Matt Nelson, Louisiana Tech; and junior punter Brad Langley, Nevada.
