Fresno State Athletics
Marshall, Stitser Earn WAC Player of the Week Honors
10/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 17, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - After a dominating homecoming win, which resulted in the Fresno State returning to the AP Top 25 poll, a couple of Bulldogs received individual honors this week by the Western Athletic Conference.
Cornerback Richard Marshall and place kicker Clint Stitser were named the Xbox Live Western Athletic Conference defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively. Hawai`i quarterback Colt Brennan, Fresno Stat, who threw for 515 yards and seven touchdowns in Hawai`i's 49-28 win over New Mexico State was named the league's top offensive performer.
Marshall, a junior from Los Angeles (Locke HS), had a team-high six tackles, returned a fumble for 17 yards and intercepted a pass in Fresno State's 53-21 win against Utah State. Marshall helped hold the Aggies to just 107 yards of total offense in the first three quarters as Fresno State built a 46-7 lead before giving way to the second-team defense. He also returned three kickoffs for 112 yards including a long of 70. It was the second honor for Marshall, who was selected last season after a win over Rice in which he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown. He leads the WAC in both interceptions and fumbles recovered.
Stitser, a sophomore from Reno, Nev. (Reno HS), made all three of his field goal attempts, including a career-long of 44 yards, and all six extra points in the win over Utah State. He has now made 9-of-11 field goals on the season and ranks 11th in the nation in scoring with 10.6 points per game. Stister ranks 11th in the NCAA in scoring and 14th in field goals.
It marked the first time two Bulldogs were honored in the same week since the final game of the 2002 season, in which running back Rodney Davis and kicker Asen Asparuhov won the awards.
"Both Richard and Clint have played well all season long," said head coach Pat Hill. "Clint has been tremendous. His only two missed field goals were a 53-yard attempt in his first game and he missed one in the mud at New Mexico State. Richard continues to make big plays for our defense. Both of these guys are important to our success."
Others nominated on offense: junior quarterback Jared Zabransky, Boise State; junior receiver Joe Fernandez, Fresno State; junior quarterback Jeff Rowe, Nevada; and sophomore wide receiver Nick Cleaver, New Mexico State.
Also nominated on defense: sophomore safety Marty Tadman, Boise State; senior defensive lineman Kila Kamakawiwo`ole, Hawai`i; and sophomore linebacker Ezra Butler, Nevada.
Other special teams nominations: junior return specialist Quinton Jones, Boise State; sophomore kick returner A.J. Martinez, Hawai`i; and freshman place kicker Brett Jaekle, Nevada.
Fresno State plays at Idaho Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be televised live by the Bulldog Sports Network on KFRE WB 59.
