DENVER Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Boise State defensive end Byron Hout and New Mexico State kick returner Chris Williams were named the Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.
This is the third time in Kaepernick's career and second time this season that he has won the award. Since Nevada joined the WAC in 2000, Wolf Pack players have been honored with weekly awards 40 times.
Kaepernick, a sophomore from Turlock, Calif. (Pittman HS), rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and also completed 15-of-31 passes for 192 yards and another score in Nevada’s 41-17 win over San Jose State. Kaepernick scored on touchdown runs of 7 and 6 yards in the second and fourth quarters, respectively, and threw a 31-yard touchdown strike to Marko Mitchell in the third quarter. He went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season and currently has 1,017 to go along with 1,841 passing yards.
Hout, a freshman from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (Lake City HS), made five tackles, including two sacks for a loss of 19 yards, and forced a fumble in the 45-10 win at Idaho. In the third quarter, Hout’s quarterback sack knocked the ball loose and was picked up by a teammate who went 45 yards for the touchdown. He then got another sack in the fourth quarter forcing a long unsuccessful fourth-down attempt at Boise State’s 18-yard line.
Williams, a senior from Rio Rancho, N.M. (Rio Rancho HS), returned two kicks for 126 yards and a touchdown in the Aggies’ game at Fresno State. Near the end of the first quarter, Williams broke free for a career-long 96-yard kick return for a touchdown to give New Mexico State a 10-3 lead. Williams also added another 30-yard kick return, a five-yard punt return and caught nine passes for 55 yards to rack up 186 all-purpose yards on the day.
Others nominated on offense: sophomore running back Jeremy Avery, Boise State; sophomore receiver Devon Wylie, Fresno State; senior running back Patrick Jackson, Louisiana Tech; senior wide receiver A.J. Harris, New Mexico State; and freshman running back Robert Turbin, Utah State.
Also nominated on defense: senior tackle Jon Monga, Fresno State; junior tackle D’Anthony Smith, Louisiana Tech; sophomore defensive end Kevin Basped, Nevada; senior safety Derrick Richardson, New Mexico State; and freshman linebacker Bobby Wagner, Utah State.
Other special teams nominations: junior punt returner Kyle Wilson, Boise State; and senior placekicker Brett Jaekle, Nevada.
