By: Cody Bush, Associate Commissioner
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado State University Pueblo quarterback Navi Bruzon, Colorado School of Mines edge rusher Christian Peluse, and Western Colorado University defensive back Jevon Young are the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s Week 4 Players of the Week, announced Monday.
Bruzon passed for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth to help CSU Pueblo improve to 3-0 in RMAC play. Peluse led an Orediggers defense that allowed just 39 rushing yards en route to a second consecutive RMAC victory. Young blocked three punts and recovered one in the end zone for a touchdown as the Mountaineers also improved to 3-0 in league play.
Offensive
Navi Bruzon, CSU Pueblo (Sophomore, Quarterback, Peoria, Arizona)
Bruzon was responsible for four touchdowns and 334 offensive yards, leading the ThunderWolves to a 35-23 victory over Colorado Mesa. He completed 16-of-21 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, then added a fourth score on an eight-carry, 47-yard effort. Bruzon’s three touchdown passes went to three different receivers. Cedric Mills caught a 28-yard pass to get the ThunderWolves on the board in the second quarter, Bryce Boyd had a two-yard reception before halftime to extend the lead, and Rashawn Jackson caught a 36-yarder to open the third quarter’s scoring. Bruzon added an 11-yard touchdown run before the third quarter ended, giving CSU Pueblo a 35-9 advantage.
Others Nominated: Khalil Abdul-Aziz, Adams State; Kade Weber, Black Hills State; Garet Schlabs, Chadron State; Jalen Hankins, Colorado Mesa; Aksel Richard, Colorado School of Mines; Sam Jones, Fort Lewis; Gage Baker, South Dakota Mines; Lamonte James, Western Colorado.
Defensive
Christian Peluse, Colorado School of Mines (Senior (RS), Edge Rusher, Missouri City, Texas)
In the defensive showdown of the week, Peluse’s seven-tackle day led an Orediggers defense that allowed just 39 rushing yards in a 16-12 win at Chadron State. His effort included two solo tackles for loss and a sack, along with three quarterback hurries. Peluse had a tackle for loss on 3rd-and-3 inside the five-yard line on the game’s opening drive, forcing a Chadron State field goal. His second TFL was a sack on a 3rd-and-7 near midfield in the third quarter, forcing a punt. Colorado School of Mines held Chadron State to 277 offensive yards.
Others Nominated: Kaden Souders, Adams State; Caden Stansbury, Black Hills State; Carter Daniels, CSU Pueblo; Ryder True, Chadron State; La’Markus Reed, Colorado Mesa; Drennan Dowell, Fort Lewis; Aiden Werlinger, South Dakota Mines; Ian Loomis, Western Colorado.
Special Teams
Jevon Young, Western Colorado (Senior, Defensive Back, Colorado Springs, Colorado)
On a big special teams day for the Mountaineers, Young’s three blocked punts stood out in a 70-21 victory against Adams State. He also recovered one of his blocked punts in the end zone for a third-quarter touchdown. His other two blocks, one in the first quarter and another in the fourth, led to Western Colorado possessions starting in Adams State territory. The three blocked kicks are tied for the most in Division II since 2014. He also had two tackles, a half tackle for loss, and a pass breakup.
Others Nominated: Anthony Arnusch, Adams State; Bryce Coulson, Black Hills State; Nyir Jones, CSU Pueblo; Bryan Ortega, Chadron State; Kale Purvis, Colorado Mesa; Ethan Kercher, Fort Lewis; Sam Eccles, South Dakota Mines.
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 71 national championships. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference in the western United States and Division II.
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