By: Cody Bush, Associate Commissioner / Strategic Communications
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The comeback of the season and the special teams performance of the year highlight the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s Week 7 Player of the Week honors announced Monday.
In Western Colorado’s come-from-behind 35-24 victory against South Dakota Mines rested on wide receiver Josiah Ayon and defensive lineman Ricky Freymond’s combined efforts, helping the duo claim the offensive and defensive honors. Ayon’s four touchdown receptions – all in the final 21:32 – keyed the comeback and tied Division II’s single-game best this season. Freymond’s 5.0 tackles for loss helped the Mountaineers stymie the Hardrockers throughout the game and were second-most by a Division II defender this season. Finally, CSU Pueblo had two kick-sixes in the first half, both on blocked kicks by defensive lineman Cody Ramming – this week’s special teams honoree – to down Black Hills State, 24-21.
Offensive Player of the Week:
Josiah Ayon, Western Colorado (Jr., Wide Receiver, Fresno, California)
Ayon caught four second-half touchdowns to help Western Colorado erase a 24-7 deficit and stay unbeaten with a 35-24 victory against South Dakota Mines on Saturday. The Mountaineers trailed 24-7 midway through the third quarter. But WCU quarterback Drew Nash would connect with Ayon for touchdowns on passes of one, 11, 24, and 20 yards over the final 21:32 to erase the deficit. Ayon finished the day with six receptions on six targets for 59 yards. His four TD receptions tied Division II’s single-game mark this season, accomplished only twice entering Saturday’s play.
Honorable Mention: Luke Duby, Black Hills State; Howard Russell V, CSU Pueblo; Jake Marschall, Chadron State; Aiden Taylor, Colorado Mesa; Evan Foster, Colorado School of Mines; Holen Gilbert, South Dakota Mines.
Defensive Player of the Week:
Ricky Freymond, Western Colorado (R-Jr., Defensive Lineman, Chino, California)
Freymond recorded 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks, leading a Western Colorado defense that shutdown South Dakota Mines in the second half in a 35-24 victory on Saturday. He led all defenders with 10 tackles (five solo), blocked a fourth-quarter field goal attempt, and was credited with three hurries. With the game tied 7-7 in the second quarter and South Dakota Mines threatening with 1st-and-Goal at the eight-yard line, Freymond had a tackle for loss and then back-to-back solo sacks, all resulting in a loss of 19 yards to force a field goal. He also had a tackle for loss on a 4th-and-1 opportunity in the first quarter to force a turnover on downs. His 5.0 tackles for loss are second-most in Division II this season, while he is one of 16 defenders to record three sacks in a game this season.
Honorable Mention: Nicc Quinones, Black Hills State; Thomas Webb Jr., CSU Pueblo; Tucker Peterson, Chadron State; Levi Krebs, Colorado Mesa; Matthew Percival-Quolas, South Dakota Mines.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Cody Ramming, CSU Pueblo (Sr., Defensive Lineman, Littleton, Colorado)
Ramming blocked a pair of field goals, which CSU Pueblo returned for touchdowns, to help the ThunderWolves escape with a 24-21 victory against Black Hills State on Saturday. His first block came on the game’s opening drive, stopping a 40-yard attempt and resulting in a 75-yard return for a touchdown. Ramming’s second block came in the second quarter on a 55-yard attempt and the return went 58 yards for a second touchdown and a 14-7 lead. He is one of 13 Division II players with two blocked kicks in a game this season. In his normal defensive role, Ramming also had four tackles (two solo).
Honorable Mention: Derek Webster, Black Hills State; Wilson Yee, Chadron State; Kash Bradley, Colorado Mesa; Konnor Mickelsen, Colorado School of Mines; Connor Taylor, South Dakota Mines; Jack Jones, Western Colorado.
RMAC Football Week 7 Results
Colorado Mesa 21, New Mexico Highlands 10
Colorado School of Mines 56, Adams State 14
Chadron State 55, Fort Lewis 13
CSU Pueblo 24, Black Hills State 21
Western Colorado 35, South Dakota Mines 24
RMAC Football Week 8 Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 26
Western Colorado at Colorado School of Mines
Colorado Mesa at Fort Lewis
Chadron State at Black Hills State
Adams State at New Mexico Highlands
Off Week: CSU Pueblo & South Dakota MInes
About the RMAC
The RMAC is a premier NCAA Division II conference located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with 15 member schools. The RMAC sponsors 22 varsity NCAA sports and has produced 65 NCAA Division II national champions and 52 national runners-up since 1992.
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