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Brian Blechen and Brandon Burton (Utah), Ryan Lindley (San Diego State) and Marcus Sullivan (UNLV) are the Mountain West Conference Players of the Week for games through Nov. 27. Lindley earns the Offensive Player of the Week award, while Blechen claims the Defensive Player honor and Burton and Sullivan share Special Teams recognition. This marks the third career player of the week honor for Blechen and Lindley, and the first weekly honor for Burton and Sullivan.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BRIAN BLECHEN, UTAH
Freshman, Defensive Back, Moorpark, Calif./Moorpark HS
Brian Blechen registered seven tackles (three solo), one sacks (-15 yards), an interception and a pass breakup to lead Utah to a 17-16 victory over in-state rival BYU. A product of Moorpark, Calif., Blechen began the contest by notching an interception at the Utah 25-yard line late in the first quarter to halt a BYU drive. Early in the second quarter, Blechen recorded a 15-yard sack, a pass breakup and a solo tackle all on the same drive, helping to force a BYU punt. Blechen and the Utah defense also limited the Cougars to 65 rushing yards on the day.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
BRANDON BURTON, UTAH
Junior, Defensive Back, Houston, Texas/Clear Creek HS
Brandon Burton blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt by BYU on the final play of the game, helping preserve a 17-16 victory over the Cougars. Burton, a native of Houston, Texas, came off the left side of the line and batted down BYU kicker Mitch Payne's attempt, to help the Utes win 10 games for the third consecutive season. On defense, the junior defensive back also registered three pass breakups and three tackles (two solo).
MARCUS SULLIVAN, UNLV
Freshman, Kick Returner, North Las Vegas, Nev./Cheyenne HS
Marcus Sullivan established a new UNLV single-game record for kick return yards as the Rebels fell at San Diego State. Sullivan returned six kickoffs for 224 yards and an average of 37.3 yards per return. That output ranks second all-time in MWC single-game history. A product of North Las Vegas, Nev., Sullivan recorded a career-long 73-yard return, leading to UNLV's only offensive touchdown of the game. He also had a 60-yard return on the team's first offensive possession, a 28-yarder scamper and three 21 yard returns.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
RYAN LINDLEY, SAN DIEGO STATE
Junior, Quarterback, Alpine, Calif./ El Capitan HS
Ryan Lindley completed 22-of-30 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns to help San Diego State record a 48-14 win over UNLV. The Alpine, Calif., native totaled most of his production over the first two quarters, completing 18-of-23 passes for 290 yards and three scores in the first half. The junior signal-caller, who completed passes to seven different receivers, recorded touchdown throws of 50, 41, 17 and 3 yards. Lindley, who didn't throw a pass in the fourth quarter, tallied his sixth 300-yard passing game of the season.
