Fresno State Athletics
Gaines Named WAC Football Offensive Player of the Week
10/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 1, 2001
DENVER - Fresno State running back Paris Gaines, Rice linebacker Dan Dawson and UTEP kick returner Jahmal Fenner were named the offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.
Gaines, a senior from Vista, Calif. (Vista HS), rushed for a career-high 203 yards on 27 carries (7.5 yards per carry) and scored three touchdowns in Fresno State's 38-28 win over Louisiana Tech. Gaines scored on touchdown runs of one and 58 yards and also scored on a 37-yard touchdown reception.
Dawson, a senior from Bauxite, Ark. (Bauxite HS), had 14 tackles (eight solo) including four for 16 yards in losses (two sacks) in the Owls' 27-24 win at Hawai'i. His biggest play of the game came when Rice trailed 24-14 late in the third quarter. Dawson intercepted one pass and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown. He also blocked a field goal and broke up another pass.
Fenner, a freshman from Austin, Texas (Reagan HS), had three punt returns for 38 yards and two kickoff returns for 73 yards in UTEP's 26-10 win against Tulsa. His 57-yard kickoff return to start the second half was the longest by a Miner in two years. Fenner currently leads the WAC and is sixth nationally in punt returns.
Other offensive nominees included junior running back Brock Forsey, Boise State, junior wide receiver Ashley Lelie, Hawai'i, sophomore quarterback Luke McCown, Louisiana Tech, freshman quarterback Greg Henderson, Rice, junior running back Sherman Austin, UTEP, and senior wide receiver Donald Shoals, Tulsa.
On the defensive side, nominees included junior defensive tackle Bobby Hammer, Boise State, senior defensive tackle Alan Harper, Fresno State, junior linebacker Gerome Wallace, Louisiana Tech, senior defensive back Crance Clemons, UTEP, and sophomore linebacker Jorma Bailey, Tulsa.
Special team nominations included junior kicker Asen Asparuhov, Fresno State, junior punter Travis Hale, Rice, and senior kicker Chris Earnest, Tulsa.
