DENVER – Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews, Louisiana Tech safety Deon Young and Louisiana Tech placekicker Brad Oestriecher were named the Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.

Mathews, a sophomore from Bakersfield, Calif. (West HS), rushed a career-high 26 times for 163 yards and scored all three Fresno State touchdowns in a 24-7 win at Rutgers on Monday.  Mathews rushed for 106 yards and scored all three touchdowns in the second half of a game that was tied 0-0 at the intermission.  He also had his first career reception that went for 20 yards to rack up 183 all-purpose yards in the game.

Young, a junior from Hattiesburg, Miss. (Oak Grove HS), made seven tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up another one in Louisiana Tech’s 22-14 win over Mississippi State on Saturday.  He had a team-high five solo tackles.  Leading 16-14 late in the third quarter, Young intercepted a Mississippi State third-down attempt at Tech’s eight-yard line and returned it 42 yards to help set up a field goal.  He then broke up another pass that helped force Mississippi State to punt later in the fourth quarter.

Oestriecher, a senior from Baton Rouge, La. (Archbishop Rummel), made all three of his field goal attempts in the win over Mississippi State.  Oestriecher, who hadn’t attempted a field goal for Louisiana Tech since 2004, hit from 48, 28 and 50 yards.  The 48 and 50 yarders both eclipsed his previous career-best.  His final one from 50 yards, came in the fourth quarter with 6:48 left to help give Tech some breathing room.

Others nominated on offense: freshman quarterback Kellen Moore, Boise State; senior running back Patrick Jackson, Louisiana Tech; sophomore running back Vai Taua, Nevada; and junior quarterback Kyle Reed, San Jose State.

Also nominated on defense: freshman linebacker Aaron Tevis, Boise State; junior safety Marvin Haynes, Fresno State; and sophomore defensive end Dontay Moch, Nevada.

Other special teams nominations: sophomore punter Brad Elkin, Boise State; sophomore punter Robert Malone, Fresno State; sophomore punter Brad Langley, Nevada; and sophomore placekicker/punter Peter Caldwell, Utah State.

-WAC-