DENVER - New Mexico State wide receiver Austin Franklin, UTSA free safety Triston Wade and UTSA place kicker Sean Ianno were named the Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.

Franklin, a sophomore from Dallas, Texas (Kimball HS), set career highs with eight receptions for 236 yards and two touchdowns in New Mexico State's season-opening win over Sacramento State, 49-19. The 236 yards are the third most in school history and the most by a WAC receiver since 2006.

Wade, a sophomore from Tyler, Texas (John Tyler HS), made a career-high 11 tackles (5 solo), forced a fumble on a 48-yard kickoff return and intercepted a first-and-goal pass in the end zone with the Roadrunner's trailing 7-0 in the game at South Alabama. UTSA scored touchdowns following both turnovers to take a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. Wade also had one tackle for a loss of seven yards that helped hold South Alabama to a field goal in the third quarter.

Ianno, a sophomore from Pflugerville, Texas (Pflugerville HS), made a career-long 51-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining to give UTSA a 33-31 win at South Alabama. Ianno was 4-for-4 on field goal attempts, including a 47-yarder in the second quarter, and extended his PAT streak to 34 with three more in the game.

Others nominated on offense: junior quarterback Eric Soza, UTSA; senior running back Marcus Curry, Texas State; and sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton, Utah State.

Also nominated on defense: junior linebacker Trashaun Nixon, New Mexico State; senior linebacker Brian Lilly, Texas State; and junior defensive lineman Connor Williams, Utah State.

Other special teams nominations included: junior punter Cayle Chapman-Brown, New Mexico State; sophomore place kicker Will Johnson, Texas State; and senior kick returner Chuck Jacobs, Utah State.