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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Darrell Mack (Utah), Robert Johnson (Utah) and Louie Sakoda (Utah) are Mountain West Conference Players of the Week for games through Sept. 15. Mack earns the Offensive Player of the Week honor, while Johnson garners the Defensive Player award and Sakoda receives Special Teams recognition. Sakoda earns his fourth career player of the week honor, while Mack and Johnson are first-time honorees
This is just the fourth time in MWC history that an institution has swept the weekly awards (2000-SDSU, 2004-UNM, 2005-Utah). Utah also accomplished the feat the week of Nov. 7, 2005 (Off.-Brian Johnson, Def.-Eric Weddle, Spec.-Dan Beardall).
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Darrell Mack, Utah
Junior, Running Back, Spring Valley, Calif./Monte Vista
In his first career start, Darrell Mack rushed for a career-high 107 yards and one touchdown in Utah's 44-6 victory over #11 UCLA. He also recorded two receptions for 34 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving touchdowns were the first of his career. Mack carried the ball 19 times and averaged 5.6 yards per carry and is Utah's first 100-yard rusher since Quinton Ganther (120 yards) in the 2005 Emerald Bowl. His 107 yards were more than Utah gained as a team in its first two games this season (91).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Robert Johnson, Utah
Sophomore, Defensive Back, Los Angeles, Calif./Los Angeles Southwest College
Robert Johnson recorded a career-high six tackles, including three solo, two interceptions (the first of his career), broke up another pass, and forced a UCLA fumble into the end zone for a touchback in Utah's win over UCLA. Johnson's first interception came in the second quarter on Utah's 13-yard line with the Utes up 7-6. He returned the ball to the Utah 39-yard line and the Utes would go on to score on the next series to stretch their lead to 14-6. In the third quarter, with Utah leading 17-6, Johnson knocked the ball out of UCLA receiver Marcus Everett's hand as he reached for the goal line and the fumble went out of the back of the end zone for a touchback. Utah scored on the ensuing series to take a 24-6 lead. On UCLA's next play from scrimmage, Johnson intercepted his second pass. Utah's next drive resulted in a field goal to put the Utes up 27-6.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Louie Sakoda
Senior, Place Kicker, San Jose, Calif./Branham
Louie Sakoda connected on all three field goal attempts from 47, 45 and 44 yards, and hit all five extra point attempts for a total of 14 points in the victory over UCLA. His 47-yard field goal was a career-long. Sakoda is 4-of-5 in field goals this season and every attempt has been beyond 40 yards. Sakoda also averaged 41.4 yards on five punts and placed four inside the 20 (one on the 3-yard line). His other punt was a touchback.
