Fresno State Athletics
James Sanders Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week
9/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 7, 2004
DENVER - Louisiana Tech running back Ryan Moats, Fresno State strong safety James Sanders and Boise State punt returner Chris Carr were named the Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively. Moats, a junior from Dallas, Texas (Bishop Lynch HS), rushed for 257 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries in Louisiana Tech's 38-21 conference win over Nevada. Moats also led the Bulldogs with three receptions for 48 yards. The 257 yards rushing were the second most for Moats in a game and the fourth most in school history. Sanders, a junior from Porterville, Calif. (Monache), had seven tackles, including two for a loss of eight yards, and intercepted two passes, returning one 19 yards for a touchdown in Fresno State's 35-16 win at Washington. One of his tackles for loss was a punishing quarterback sack for seven yards. The Bulldogs handed the Huskies their worst home non-conference loss since 1956. Carr, a senior from Reno, Nevada (McQueen HS), returned five punts for a school-record 137 yards in Boise State's 65-7 win over Idaho. He returned one punt 62 yards for a touchdown. Others nominated on offense: sophomore tight end Derek Schouman, Boise State; junior running back Dwayne Wright, Fresno State; senior quarterback Timmy Chang, Hawaii; and senior quarterback Greg Henderson, Rice. Also nominated on defense: senior linebacker Andy Avalos, Boise State; senior defensive back Abraham Elimimian, Hawaii; senior defensive end Jemelle Cage, Louisiana Tech; junior defensive end John Syptak, Rice; junior defensive back Rolando Humphrey, SMU; junior defensive back James Delgardo, UTEP; and sophomore defensive back Bobby Blackshire, Tulsa. Special teams nominations: senior offensive tackle Logan Mankins, Fresno State; sophomore punter Kurt Milne, Hawaii; freshman punter Matt Butler, Louisiana Tech; sophomore defensive end DeJaun Cooper, Rice; junior place-kicker Chris McMurtray, SMU; and senior defensive back Jahmal Fenner, UTEP.
