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Third player in NCAA history to return two fumbles for touchdowns and he's not the WAC Defensive Player of the Week?



WAC FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK AWARDED

DENVER – Fresno State running back Bryson Sumlin, UTEP defensive back Quintin Demps and Boise State cornerback Gerald Alexander were named the Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.

Sumlin, a junior from Bakersfield, Calif. (West HS), rushed for a career-high 220 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns in Fresno State’s 70-14 win against Hawai‘i. The 220 yards tied for the fourth best rushing total in school history. He had an 89-yard run in the game that was the sixth longest by a Fresno State player. The Bulldogs had a school-record 503 rushing yards in the game.

Demps, a freshman from San Antonio, Texas (Roosevelt HS), had 12 tackles and forced two fumbles in the Miners’ 35-28 double overtime win against Rice. Demps forced the first fumble late in the fourth quarter with UTEP leading 21-19 and the Owls on the Miners’ 25-yard line. The second came in the second overtime when he stripped a Rice running back at the one-yard line to preserve the victory.

Alexander, a sophomore from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Rancho Cucamonga HS), blocked a San Jose State field goal attempt from 30 yards out with 1:07 remaining in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime where Boise State won 56-49. The victory extended the Broncos’ nation-best winning streak to 20 games.

Others nominated on offense: junior running back Lee Marks, Boise State; junior running back Ryan Moats, Louisiana Tech; sophomore wide receiver Bobby Chase, SMU; and sophomore quarterback Jordan Palmer, UTEP.

Also nominated on defense: sophomore linebacker Colt Brooks, Boise State; junior safety James Sanders, Fresno State; senior linebacker Watson Ho‘ohuli, Hawai‘i; senior linebacker Byron Santiago, Louisiana Tech; and junior defensive back Alvin Nnabuife, SMU.

Other special teams nominations: senior place-kicker Brett Visintainer, Fresno State; sophomore strong safety Dez Abrams, Louisiana Tech; and senior punt returner Jahmal Fenner, UTEP.

Man am I glad we are getting out of the WAC.

Officials that through sideline penalties without bench warnings, and even when the assisatance coach did nothing wrong.

Not recognizing a play that ties an NCAA record held by only 2 other players in history.

Bye Bye WAC.

That's just wrong.

Can't even chalk this up to the WAC being angry that we're leaving, because UTEP -- which had the DB that won the award -- also is leaving.

This is sheer stupidity.

Alvin's feats were impressive. But the UTEP defender actually caused the fumbles, one which saved the game in overtime. The actual causing of the fumble is what matters, picking it up and running is secondary b/c without the fumble there is no fumble to return. Alvin happened to be in the right place at the right time and then did a great job of returning the fumble.

I won't take away from what the UTEP guy did. You're right: no fumble, no fumble recovery. But at the same time, how many times have we seen the pumpkin bumping around on the carpet at Ford Stadium and we DON'T do anything with it? The kid from UTEP clearly had a great game, and he might have saved the game for the Miners with his plays. But Nnabuife saved the game for us, too. Take away his two touchdowns, and give Nevada a score on the drive that preceded his 95-yarder, and we're worrying about how we lost to Nevada. Mr. UTEP might have saved their win, but I'd contend that Nnabuife did the same for us. And while there are countless players who have caused a pair of fumbles before, there were exactly two in the history of college football who had done what Nnabuife did. This award absolutely belongs to Alvin. Hell, the argument could be made that he should have gotten national recognition.

To hell with the hardware - Alvin, we're proud of you. You're doing a great job at OLB - keep it up.
And beat UTEP!

What's the best way to contact the WAC (and the best person to contact)?
They should be ashamed of this.

ask any coach and they will confirm causing the fumble is the most important. had Nnabuife caused and returned, then you have a valid complaint. Plus the UTEP defender had 12 tackles and both caused fumbles were late in the game, 4th quarter and overtime.