GRIZZLIES’MCSURDY & SAMBRANO NAMED BIG SKY’S PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

OGDEN, UTAH (Sept. 12, 2011) - The Big Sky Conference announced its football Players of the Week today for games played on Saturday, Sept. 10.              
University of Montana linebacker Caleb McSurdy is the defensive Player of the Week, while Grizzly return man Jabin Sambrano is the Special Teams Player of the Week.  Montana State running back Cody Kirk is the offensive Player of the Week.

McSurdy, a 6-1, 242-pound senior from Boise, Idaho, tied his career-high with 17 tackles and also had a forced fumble in Montana’s 37-23 victory over Cal Poly. McSurdy registered five solo stops and 12 assisted tackles. Led by McSurdy, Montana’s defense stifled Cal Poly’s offense in the second half, limiting the Mustangs to two field goals. McSurdy is averaging 15 tackles per game through two games, ranking second in the nation. This is McSurdy’s first career Player of the Week honor.
     
Sambrano, a 5-11, 175-pound senior from Temecula, Calif., returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in Montana’s 37-23 win over Cal Poly. It was the fifth-longest return in school history. Sambrano finished the game with five kick returns for 165 yards, one punt return for 9 yards, and also caught five passes for 70 yards to finish with 244 all-purpose yards. Sambrano hauled in a 58-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter to give UM a 21-20 lead.  He is currently ranked second in the nation in all-purpose yards with 210.0 per game.  This is Sambrano’s first career Player of the Week award.
                    
Kirk, a 5-foot-10, 214-pound sophomore from Frenchtown, rushed 22 times for a career-high 155 yards and scored two touchdowns in Montana State’s 38-14 victory over UC Davis.  Kirk finished the game with 209 all-purpose yards, and averaged 7.0 yards per carry. This is Kirk’s first career Player of the Week award.

Others Nominated for Weekly Awards
OFFENSE - Nicholas Edwards, WR, Eastern Washington; Rodrick Rumble, WR, Idaho State; Jordan Johnson, QB, Montana; Ify Umodu, WR, Northern Arizona; Quintin Hildreth, RB, Northern Colorado; Bryan Hilliard, RB, Sacramento State

DEFENSE - Matt Johnson, S, Eastern Washington; Basim Hudeen, LB, Idaho State;  Darius Jones, CB, Montana State; Isaac Bond, DE, Northern Arizona; Elliott Dorsey, FS, Northern Colorado; Ryan McMahon, LB, Sacramento State; Anthony Morales, LB, Weber State

SPECIAL TEAMS - Jake Miller, P, Eastern Washington; Jamaal Perkins, Ret., Northern Arizona; Josh Kealamakia, P, Weber State





Dave Guffey
The University of Montana
Associate A.D., For External and Media Relations
Hoyt Athletic Complex
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT  59812
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guffeydb@mso.umt.edu