Big Sky POW

BleedsBlue&Gold · Post by **BleedsBlue&Gold** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:07 am

[color=darkblue] CONGRATS GUYS![/color]

The Big Sky Conference has announced its football Players of the Week for games played on Saturday, Nov. 19. Montana State running back Evin Groves is the Offensive Player of the Week. Montana State linebacker Nick Marudas and Weber State defensive lineman Shane Barkdull are the Co-Defensive Players of the Week. Montana State kicker Jeff Hastings is the Special Teams Player of the Week.

Groves, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound freshman from San Diego, Calif., rushed for a career-high 143 yards on a career-high 35 carries and scored Montana State’s only touchdown in the Bobcats’ 16-6 upset of No. 3 Montana in the 105th meeting of the Bobcats and Grizzlies. The 143 yards is the most ever by a freshman in the history of the rivalry. Groves scored on a 3-yard run in the first quarter. He also caught a pass for 12 yards. This is the first Player of the Week Award for Groves.

Marudas, a 6-2, 218-pound senior from Bozeman, Mont., tallied six tackles - two for loss - and two big sacks in the Bobcats’ win over the Grizzlies. Montana State limited Montana to just 220 yards of total offense and just one touchdown. Marudas’ first sack came in the first quarter after UM had moved into Bobcat territory. Two plays later, MSU intercepted a pass. His second sack came early in the fourth quarter. He also helped break up a two-point conversion after UM’s touchdown to help MSU maintain a two-score lead. This is Marudas’ second Player of the Week Award this season.

Barkdull, a 6-3, 275-pound senior from Kaysville, Utah, tallied six total tackles - four unassisted - with a forced fumble, fumble recovery, blocked field goal, two tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup in Weber State’s 27-10 victory over Southern Utah. Barkdull’s forced fumble and fumble recovery prevented a potential Southern Utah touchdown early in the game. Barkdull’s sack resulted in a 14-yard loss. Weber State held Southern Utah to just 287 yards of total offense. This is Barkdull’s first Player of the Week Award this season.

Hastings, a 5-9, 180-pound junior from Long Beach, Calif., drilled three field goals and an extra point in the Bobcats’ 16-6 win over Montana on a muddy field. Hastings made a 40-yard field goal early in the second quarter, and added a 39-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, putting the Bobcats ahead 10-0. Hastings added a 19-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to put his team up 16-0. Hastings became just the third player to kick at least three field goals in a game the 105-history of the rivalry. Hastings kicked an MSU-record 16 field goals during the season. This is his second Player of the Week Award this season.[size=18][/size][/b]

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 2:13 pm

Great job Cats... first time in school history when we've had POW on O, D, and ST.

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:29 pm

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Excellent choices for POW. All of these guys earned it, and there were many others on the Bobcat squad who could have easily earned it, like Kahiam Hunter, Toph Grenfell, or any of the offensive lineman. Or anyone else. Excuse the excessive emoticons.