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Utah WR and punt returner Shaky Smithson was named the MWC Special Teams player of the week for his standout performance in the Utes' 38-10 win over UNLV.
Shaky bounced back in a big way, from having two turnovers against Pitt, to having the #2 highlight on Sportscenter - a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown.
He also tallied a 55-yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback Terrance Cain, who was filling in for Jordan Wynn (sprained thumb).
Complete press release is attached below.
Utah's next game is Saturday at New Mexico.
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Ronnie Hillman (San Diego State), Alex Ibiloye (TCU) and Shaky Smithson (Utah) are Mountain West Conference Players of the Week for games through Sept. 11. Hillman earns the Offensive Player of the Week honor, while Ibiloye garners the Defensive Player award and Smithson receives Special Teams recognition. This marks the first-ever player of the week honor for all three individuals.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
SHAKY SMITHSON, UTAH
Senior, Wide Receiver/Punt Returner, Baltimore, Md./East Los Angeles CC
Shaky Smithson returned five punts for 128 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown, to help Utah improve to 2-0 with a 38-10 victory over UNLV. Smithson, who also tallied a 55-yard touchdown reception against the Rebels, averaged 25.6 yards per return. With 7:22 remaining in the third quarter, Smithson recorded his best return of the day, finding the end zone after a 77-yard scamper, putting the Utes ahead, 31-10. He is the first Utah player to return a punt for a touchdown since 2007.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
RONNIE HILLMAN, SAN DIEGO STATE
Freshman, Running Back, La Habra, Calif./La Habra HS
Ronnie Hillman rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries to lead San Diego State to a 41-21 victory over New Mexico State. Hillman scored all four of his touchdowns in the second half to help the Aztecs to their first 2-0 start since 1994. Hillman, who scored on runs of 44, four, two and one yards, averaged 6.8 yards per carry on the evening. His four rushing touchdowns set a MWC freshman single-game high and are the most by a San Diego State player since Larry Ned's four-touchdown performance against Wyoming in 2001.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ALEX IBILOYE, TCU
Senior, Safety, Garland, Texas/South Garland HS
Alex Ibiloye forced three fumbles and added a team-high tying nine tackles in TCU's 62-7 win over Tennessee Tech. Ibiloye became the first Horned Frog to force more than one fumble in a game since Jerry Hughes forced two against BYU in 2008. The senior safety also notched 1.5 tackles for a loss of five yards, while helping TCU limit the Golden Eagles to 11 first downs and 150 yards of total offense.
