The Bobcat Nation

October 3, 2005

Big Sky Honors Cole, Logue, Marudas, Saenz

The Big Sky Conference has announced its football players of the week for games played on Saturday, October 1. Eastern Washington’s Ryan Cole is the Offensive Player of the Week. Sacramento State’s Matt Logue and Montana State’s Nick Marudas are the Co-Defensive Players of the Week. Montana’s Alan Saenz is the Special Teams Player of the Week.

Cole, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior running back from Port Orchard, Wash., rushed 25 times for a career-high 154 yards and scored five touchdowns in Eastern Washington’s 42-24 victory over Portland State. Cole scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Eagles rallied from a 24-21 deficit to win 42-24. Cole scored on runs of 3, 36, 2, 52 and eight yards. Cole has scored nine touchdowns this season, and is averaging a Big Sky-best 13.5 points per game. This is Cole’s first Player of the Week Award.

Logue, a 6-2, 225-pound senior linebacker from Grass Valley, Calif., tallied nine total tackles - including one for loss - recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass as Sacramento State notched its first victory of the season with a 38-24 win over Northern Arizona. Logue’s interception came on the second offensive play of the game and led to a field goal. The fumble recovery came on a first-and-goal play from the 3-yard line. Logue leads the Big Sky with 40 total tackles. This is his first Player of the Week Award.

Marudas, a 6-2, 218-pound senior from Bozeman, Mont., tied a career-high with 11 tackles in Montana State’s 30-28 Big Sky victory over Idaho State. Marudas also tallied two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Marudas’ efforts helped the Bobcats hold the Bengals to just 88 second-half yards. Marudas has recorded 11 tackles two consecutive weeks. This is his first Player of the Week Award.

Saenz, a 6-1, 295-pound senior from Newport Beach, Calif., blocked a field goal and a PAT in Montana’s 24-19 Big Sky victory over Weber State. In the first quarter, Saenz broke through the middle and blocked Joe Johnson’s 37-yard attempt as Montana held onto a 7-3 lead. Saenz again busted through the middle in the third quarter to block Johnson’s extra point try. Montana led 21-16 at that point. Saenz has blocked five kicks in his career. This is the first Player of the Week Award for Saenz.