#BigSkyFB announces first ROOT SPORTS’ players of the week for 2017
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OGDEN, Utah (August 28, 2017) – With the first-two games of football already in the books in Week Zero, the ROOT SPORTS Players of the Week were announced on Monday. This week’s honors went to Cal Poly’s Joe Protheroe for the ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week, Portland State’s Davond Dade for the ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week, and Portland State’s Hayden Cowden for the ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week.
Protheroe established a new career high for carries (39) and rushed for 139 yards, his 14
th career 100-yard game at Cal Poly. His 139 yards on the ground led all FCS players this past weekend. The senior fullback scored the first Mustang touchdown on a seven-yard run early in the fourth quarter. Cal Poly added another touchdown midway through the period, but couldn’t complete the comeback as it fell 20-14 in its season opener. Protheroe moved up to No. 8 all-time on the Cal Poly career rushing chart with 2,436. His 39 carries were two shy of the school Division I record.
Davond Dade was instrumental in holding Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) independent BYU’s offense to under 400 yards of total offense. The senior defensive end made four tackles, with two for losses including a three-yard sack. He also forced a fumble late in the second quarter and had a quarterback hurry.
Freshman punter Hayden Cowden averaged 47.9 yards per punt on the road at BYU, and had a long of 70 yards. His stellar kicking skills were a lot for BYU to handle as the Cougars had -5 punt return yards on the day.
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week: Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland State
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week: Kitu Humphrey, Cal Poly
Other Nominees for ROOT SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week: Kyle Lewis, Cal Poly
ROOT SPORTS’ coverage of the 2017 #BigSkyFB season kicks off on Sept. 23, with Eastern Washington at Montana.