By: Cody Bush, Associate Commissioner / Strategic Communications
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Western Colorado University quarterback Drew Nash, Chadron State linebacker Logan O’Brien, and South Dakota Mines punter Bryson Patten are the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s Week 6 Players of the Week, presented by Genesee Nutrition, announced Monday.
Nash was responsible for Western Colorado’s first six touchdowns, rushing for one and passing for five, as the Mountaineers stayed undefeated with a win against Black Hills State. O’Brien’s 11 tackles led a Chadron State defense that allowed only one touchdown over the final three quarters in a win against New Mexico Highlands. Patten’s 75-yard punt highlighted a 46.2 punting average day in a loss to Colorado School of Mines.
Offensive
Drew Nash, Western Colorado (Senior (RS), Quarterback, Torrence, California)
Nash was responsible for six touchdowns, including passing for each of Western Colorado’s first five scores in a 56-17 victory against Black Hills State. In 42 minutes, he completed 21-of-32 passes for an RMAC best 399 yards and five touchdowns and had a rushing touchdown on a five-carry day. Nash put the Mountaineers ahead 7-3 with a 51-yard touchdown pass to Caden Measner in the first quarter. He found Measner again in the second quarter on a seven-yard touchdown throw and took a 14-10 lead into halftime. Nash broke the game open in the third quarter, passing for three touchdowns and running for another on WCU’s four offensive possessions, for a 42-10 lead.
Others Nominated: TJ Chukwurah, Black Hills State; Reggie Retzlaff, CSU Pueblo; Quincey Ryker, Chadron State; Aiden Taylor, Colorado Mesa; Joseph Capra, Colorado School of Mines; Jeffery Jones, New Mexico Highlands; Mason Galbreath, South Dakota Mines.
Defensive
Logan O’Brien, Chadron State (Senior (RS), Linebacker, Kearney, Nebraska)
O’Brien posted a game-high 11-tackle outing as Chadron State bottled up New Mexico Highlands in the second half to claim a 37-20 victory. Four of his tackles were for no gain or a gain of one yard, along with a sack and a hurry in the outing. After New Mexico Highlands scored twice in the first quarter, O’Brien and the Chadron State defense allowed just one touchdown over the final 47 minutes.
Others Nominated: Kellen Collier, Black Hills State; Kaleb Manning, CSU Pueblo; Jake Sinz, Colorado Mesa; William Brown, Colorado School of Mines; Jake Penney, Fort Lewis; Charlie Johnson, South Dakota Mines; Drew Johnson, Western Colorado.
Special Teams
Bryson Patten, South Dakota Mines (Freshman, Kicker/Punter, Coppell, Texas)
Patten averaged 46.2 yards on five punts in South Dakota Mines’ loss to Colorado School of Mines. He totaled 231 yards on his five punts, including a 75-yarder and another boot of 51 yards. That 75-yard punt was the third-longest in the RMAC this season and one of only 10 punts of 75 or more yards in Division II this season. Patten also had two punts downed inside the 20-yard line and also handled kickoff duties for the Hardrockers.
Others Nominated: Ryan Ewing, Black Hills State; Jackson Smith, CSU Pueblo; Wilson Yee, Chadron State; Kash Bradley, Colorado Mesa; Lucas LeSieur, Colorado School of Mines; Logan White, Western Colorado.
About the RMAC
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, headquartered in Colorado Springs, is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 institutions located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah. The RMAC currently competes in 22 NCAA Division II sports and has earned 67 national championships and 53 national runners-up since 1992. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference in the western United States and Division II.
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