By DAVE GUFFEY
The Big Sky Conference has selected the ROOT SPORTS football Players of the Week for games played on Saturday, Nov. 9, and for the first time this season two players from the University of Montana were recognized, it was announced today (Nov. 11, 2013).
Griz free safety Matt Hermanson was tabbed the co-Defensive Players of the Week, while UM returner Ellis Henderson was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams was chosen the Offensive Player of the Week, while Hermanson shared the defensive award with Southern Utah cornerback LeShaun Sims.
Matt Hermanson
Hermanson, a 6-foot-1, 198-pound junior from Sioux Falls, S.D., recorded a team-high 11 tackles and returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Montana’s 31-27 win over South Dakota. With Montana trailing 24-17 and 6:33 remaining, Hermanson caught a fumble forced by linebacker Jordan Tripp and raced into the end zone to tie the game. He also had eight solo stops, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. UM’s defense held South Dakota to three points in the second half. This is Hermanson’s first career Player of the Week honor.
Sims, a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore from Las Vegas, had a key interception and fumble recovery in Southern Utah’s 27-21 win over Weber State. This is the first POW award of his career.
Henderson, a 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore wide receiver/returner from Portland, Ore., capped a great all-around performance by returning a kick-off 98 yards for a touchdown with 1:36 remaining in UM’s non-conference win at USD. His return came just after the Coyotes had taken a 27-24 lead on a field goal.
Ellis Henderson
Henderson also had 29 punt return yards, and 188 receiving yards to finish with 315 all-purpose yards. He caught four passes for 188 yards, including touchdown receptions of 6 and 71 yards, and was also the Grizzlies’ nominee for the “Offensive Player of the Week” award. This is Henderson’s first career ROOT SPORTS Player of the Week honor.
Adams, a 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore from Pasadena, Calif., was 16-of-18-0 passing for 300 yards with four touchdowns to lead No. 3 EWU to a 54-29 win over No. 4 Montana State, and he also rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown. This is the fifth POW award of his career.
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