New Mexico Game Notes | Colorado State Game Notes
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – UNLV junior quarterback Kurt Palandech has been named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week, while Rebels’ senior defensive back Torry McTyer received Defensive Player of the Week accolades and New Mexico junior kicker Jason Sanders garnered Special Teams Player of the Week honors. It is the first career Mountain West weekly award for Palandech and McTyer, while Sanders collects his second accolade.
For Sanders, it marks the second time he has earned the honor, winning it after the season opener against South Dakota. It is also the fourth time in 11 weeks that a Lobo has won Special Teams Player of the Week honors, and the second week in a row. Punter Corey Bojorquez picked up the honor last week after the Nevada game, and Elijah Lilly did the same after a 45-40 win over Air Force.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JASON SANDERS, NEW MEXICO
Junior, Kicker, Orange, California / Villa Park HS
- Went 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts and 1-for-1 on extra-point tries to help New Mexico defeat Utah State on the road, 24-21.
- Made field goals of 36 and 37 yards in the second quarter to trim the Lobos’ deficit to 14-6 at halftime.
- Kicked a go-ahead field goal from 40 yards out with 1:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. The field goal broke a 21-21 tie and led to an eventual Lobos’ victory.
- Recorded four touchbacks on six kickoffs.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
KURT PALANDECH, UNLV
Junior, Quarterback, Plainfield, Illinois / Laney College
- Set career highs in completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing yards to help lead UNLV to a 69-66 triple-overtime victory over Wyoming.
- In his first start this season, went 20-of-32 for 252 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
- Rushed for a game-high 157 yards on 16 carries, while adding a touchdown.
- Completed his first six pass attempts of the game, helping UNLV build a 10-3 lead after the first quarter.
- In the second quarter, found Xzaviar Campbell for an 18-yard touchdown pass that gave UNLV a 27-17 lead.
- With UNLV trailing by one in the fourth quarter, scampered 76 yards for a touchdown and threw for the successful two-point conversion to put the Rebels in front, 52-45.
- In the first overtime period with UNLV down a touchdown, threw a 22-yard strike on a third-and-seven play to help the Rebels even up the score.
- Hit tight end Andrew Price in the end zone for a four-yard touchdown in the second overtime stanza to put UNLV in front.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TORRY McTYER, UNLV
Senior, Defensive Back, Los Angeles, California / Cathedral HS
- Recorded two interceptions, one pass breakup and a tackle in UNLV’s 69-66 triple-overtime win over Wyoming.
- With UNLV having just taken a 52-45 lead with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Wyoming was driving and looking to answer when McTyer picked off Josh Allen at the UNLV 23-yard line.
- In the third overtime period, he tipped an Allen pass and then grabbed it out of the air at the UNLV one-yard line to secure his second interception of the game.
- The interception set up UNLV’s game-winning field goal on the following possession.