DENVER – Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, Nevada linebacker James-Michael Johnson and Louisiana Tech linebacker Rufus Porter were named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.
This is the second time Johnson has won the WAC Defensive Player of the Week award this season and in his career. This is Nevada's fourth weekly honor of the 2010 season. Since Nevada joined the WAC in 2000, Wolf Pack players have been honored with weekly awards 48 times.
Moore, a junior from Prosser, Wash. (Prosser HS), completed 19-of-27 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-24 win over No. 24 Oregon State. His passing efficiency rating for the game was 196.6. He completed touchdowns of 6, 17 and 49 yards, marking the 23rd time in 30 games he has had multiple touchdown passes in a game.
Johnson, a junior from Suisun, Calif. (Rodriguez HS), had a career-high 10 tackles, including seven solo, in a 27-13 win at Brigham Young. He helped the Nevada defense hold the Cougars to just one touchdown as the Wolf Pack improved to 4-0 and earned a ranking of 25th in both major polls this week.
Porter, a freshman from Destrehan, La. (Destrehan HS), blocked a punt in the fourth quarter forcing a safety in the game against Southern Mississippi. Porter helped cut the Eagles lead to one, 13-12, with 10 minutes remaining in the game. It was Louisiana Tech's first safety in a decade.
Others nominated on offense: senior quarterback Ryan Colburn, Fresno State; junior quarterback Bryant Moniz, Hawai'i; senior running back Vai Taua, Nevada; and senior wide receiver Marcus Allen, New Mexico State.
Also nominated on defense: sophomore cornerback Jamar Taylor, Boise State; sophomore safety Phillip Thomas, Fresno State; junior linebacker Corey Paredes, Hawai'i; junior linebacker Jay Dudley, Louisiana Tech; junior safety Donyae Coleman, New Mexico State; and junior linebacker Bobby Wagner, Utah State.
Other special teams nominations included: senior place kicker/punter Kyle Brotzman, Boise State; senior punter Brad Langley, Nevada; and junior kick returner Taveon Rogers, New Mexico State.
