Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Courtney Metzger
MW names Williams Defensive Player of the Week
11/4/2019 9:05:00 AM | Football
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Fresno State freshman defensive back Evan Williams was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Bulldogs' 41-38 win at Hawai'i last Saturday, the organization announced on Monday.
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Williams, a Campbell, Calif. native, earned his first collegiate start on the island ahead of facing the top passing offense that the Mountain West has to offer in Hawai'i. The true freshman made the start at nickleback.
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Entering Saturday night's contest, Williams had totaled two tackles on the season. It was a break-through game for the true freshman as he led the team with seven total tackles in the first half and finished the game with nine (seven solo), enough for second on the team behind senior Juju Hughes who had 10.
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Williams made his presence felt for the Hawai'i offense as he intercepted a pass thrown by Cole McDonald early in the fourth quarter. The freshman's first collegiate interception set the Bulldog offense up at their own 42-yard line and would eventually make their way to the end zone. He also added a broken up pass versus the Rainbow Warriors.
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Williams becomes the first Bulldog defensive back to earn the conference honor since Hughes did so in 2017. The true freshman becomes the first-ever freshman to be named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week for the 'Dogs. Williams becomes the first true freshman to earn a MW Player of the Week since Colin McGuire was named the Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 3, 2013.
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The Bulldogs return to action at home this Saturday as Utah State comes to Bulldog Stadium for a 4 p.m. PT kickoff on CBS Sports Network.
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Fresno State Mountain West Defensive Players of the Week
Sept. 17, 2012 - Phillip Thomas
Oct. 1, 2012 - Andy Jennings
Oct. 8, 2012 - Phillip Thomas
Nov. 12, 2012 - Travis Brown
Oct. 28, 2013 - Ejiro Ederaine
Nov. 10, 2014 - Kyrie Wilson
Oct. 9, 2017 - Juju Hughes
Oct. 23, 2017 - Jeff Allison
Nov. 6, 2017 - Jeff Allison
Nov. 20, 2017 - George Helmuth
Oct. 1, 2018 - Mykal Walker
Oct. 20, 2019 - Justin Rice
Nov. 4, 2019 - Evan Williams
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"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
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Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
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Williams, a Campbell, Calif. native, earned his first collegiate start on the island ahead of facing the top passing offense that the Mountain West has to offer in Hawai'i. The true freshman made the start at nickleback.
Â
Entering Saturday night's contest, Williams had totaled two tackles on the season. It was a break-through game for the true freshman as he led the team with seven total tackles in the first half and finished the game with nine (seven solo), enough for second on the team behind senior Juju Hughes who had 10.
Â
Williams made his presence felt for the Hawai'i offense as he intercepted a pass thrown by Cole McDonald early in the fourth quarter. The freshman's first collegiate interception set the Bulldog offense up at their own 42-yard line and would eventually make their way to the end zone. He also added a broken up pass versus the Rainbow Warriors.
Â
Williams becomes the first Bulldog defensive back to earn the conference honor since Hughes did so in 2017. The true freshman becomes the first-ever freshman to be named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week for the 'Dogs. Williams becomes the first true freshman to earn a MW Player of the Week since Colin McGuire was named the Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 3, 2013.
Â
The Bulldogs return to action at home this Saturday as Utah State comes to Bulldog Stadium for a 4 p.m. PT kickoff on CBS Sports Network.
Â
Fresno State Mountain West Defensive Players of the Week
Sept. 17, 2012 - Phillip Thomas
Oct. 1, 2012 - Andy Jennings
Oct. 8, 2012 - Phillip Thomas
Nov. 12, 2012 - Travis Brown
Oct. 28, 2013 - Ejiro Ederaine
Nov. 10, 2014 - Kyrie Wilson
Oct. 9, 2017 - Juju Hughes
Oct. 23, 2017 - Jeff Allison
Nov. 6, 2017 - Jeff Allison
Nov. 20, 2017 - George Helmuth
Oct. 1, 2018 - Mykal Walker
Oct. 20, 2019 - Justin Rice
Nov. 4, 2019 - Evan Williams
Â
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Â
Players Mentioned
FB Weekly Press Conference [11/24]
Monday, November 24
FB Media Availibility [11/18]: Jadon Pearson, Ryan Wilson, Julian Polendo, Jordan Brown
Tuesday, November 18
FB Weekly Press Conference [11/17]
Monday, November 17
FB highlight vs Wyoming [11/15/25]
Sunday, November 16







