DENVER, Colo. Boise State running back Ian Johnson, Nevada cornerback Joe Garcia and San Jose State punt returner James Jones were named the Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.
Johnson, a sophomore from San Dimas, Calif. (Damien HS), rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in Boise State’s 41-34 win over Hawaii. Johnson scored on the opening possession of each half for the 22nd-ranked Broncos and also had one reception for 10 yards. It was his third straight game with at least 100 yards on the ground. Johnson leads the WAC and is third in the nation in rushing with 156.5 yards per game.
Garcia, a senior from West Minster, Calif. (Long Beach CC), made six tackles (5 solo) and had two interceptions in Nevada’s 31-21 win over Northwestern. With Nevada trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Garcia intercepted a pass at the Pack’s 16-yard line that led to a game-tying touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Northwestern trailed 24-21 in the final minutes before Garcia intercepted another pass and returned it 24 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.
Jones, a senior from San Jose, Calif. (Gunderson HS), returned three punts for 70 yards (23.3 yard average) in San Jose State’s 17-7 win over Cal Poly. He had a career-long return of 47 yards that set up the Spartans’ final scoring drive of the game. Jones also caught nine passes for 92 yards and added a nine-yard run to give him 171 all-purpose yards in the game.
Others nominated on offense: junior wide receiver Jason Rivers, Hawaii; senior running back Robert Hubbard, Nevada; and junior tailback Marcus Cross, Utah State.
Also nominated on defense: senior linebacker Korey Hall, Boise State; senior free safety Leonard Peters, Hawaii; sophomore linebacker Quin Harris, Louisiana Tech; junior cornerback Dwight Lowery, San Jose State; and sophomore linebacker Derrick Cumbee, Utah State.
Other special teams nominations: sophomore place kicker Brett Jaekle, Nevada.
