By: Cody Bush, Associate Commissioner
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Chadron State College linebacker Jarred Marquez and punter Triston Hite were joined by Black Hills State wide receiver Jayden Williams as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s Week 1 Players of the Week, announced Monday.
Williams became the second RMAC receiver to record a 200-yard receiving day and had two touchdowns in a win against Dakota State. Marquez had two forced fumbles and a pass breakup while Hite averaged 45.3 yards on his six punts in a victory against in-state rival Nebraska-Kearney.
Offensive
Jayden Williams, Black Hills State (Junior, Wide Receiver, Mesa, Arizona)
Sundgren put together Division II’s fourth 200-yard receiving performance this season, catching 12 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns in Black Hills State’s 44-31 victory against Dakota State. He put the Yellow Jackets ahead 14-0 midway through the first quarter with a 67-yard touchdown reception. Sundgren secured the win with a 27-yard touchdown reception midway through the third quarter that put BHSU up 34-25. He recorded three receptions of 20-plus yards and eight receptions of 10-plus yards, with 160 of his yards coming after the catch.
Others Nominated: Andre Branch, Adams State; Navi Bruzon, CSU Pueblo; Devon Sundgren, Chadron State; Liu Aumavae, Colorado Mesa; Nick Stone, Colorado School of Mines; Solomon Latimer, Fort Lewis; Jaden Montalvo, New Mexico Highlands; Dawson Dunbar, South Dakota Mines.
Defensive
Jarred Marquez, Chadron State (Junior, Linebacker, Yuma, Arizona)
Marquez was a disruptor for the Eagles, recording two forced fumbles and a pass breakup along with 11 tackles (seven solo) in Chadron State’s 24-21 victory against Nebraska-Kearney. His pass breakup on third down late in the second quarter and ultimately forced a punt. His first forced fumble came on a punt return at the end of the second half’s first drive. On the ensuing UNK drive, during which he had a tackle on each play of the drive, he forced another fumble that helped stall the drive into a three-and-out.
Others Nominated: Benjamin Rodriguez, Adams State; Jayshon Liles, Black Hills State; Carter Daniels, CSU Pueblo; Noah Williams, Colorado Mesa; Mo Russolillo, Colorado School of Mines; Drennan Dowell, Fort Lewis; Kaleb Sells, New Mexico Highlands; Charlie Johnson, South Dakota Mines; Caden Campuzano, Western Colorado.
Special Teams
Triston Hite, Chadron State (Fifth Year, Punter, Grant, Nebraska)
Hite averaged 45.3 yards on six punts and saw four downed inside the 20-yard line as Chadron State held off Nebraska-Kearney for a 24-21 victory. Among his punts was a 70-yarder that is tied for the sixth-longest punt in Division II this season (2nd in the RMAC). Nebraska-Kearney only had 15 yards of four punt returns against the Eagles, resulting in a 42.8 net punting average with none of Hite’s six punts going for a touchback.
Others Nominated: Ant Arnusch, Adams State; Madden Aquino, Black Hills State; Jackson Smith, CSU Pueblo; Kale Purvis, Colorado Mesa; Lucas LeSieur, Colorado School of Mines; Lucas Schmitten, Fort Lewis; Daniel Estrada, New Mexico Highlands; Jadon Lemmons, 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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