With success comes honors.
Colorado and Colorado State’s current victories netted Player-of-the-Week honors for the Buffs’ LaJohntay Wester (special teams) and the Rams’ Justin Marshall (freshman) in the Big XII and Mountain West Conferences.
In the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the league honored Colorado Mines’ Hayden Gregg (defense) and CSU Pueblo’s Shallum Peter (special teams).
Wester’s 76-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter of the Buffaloes’ 49-24 victory over Utah. He also had ten receptions for 77 yards to end his day with 153 all-purpose yards.
Justin Marshall rushed 16 times for 104 yards, both game highs, and caught one pass for 12 yards as Colorado State beat Wyoming 24-10 to claim the Bronze Boot for the first time since 2020 and remain perfect in MW play at 5-0. He posted three runs of 15 yards or more, including a long of 38 on the game’s second offensive play that set up CSU’s opening touchdown. It was his second 100-yard game with the first in the season opener at Texas.
In Mines’ 67-9 win over Fort Lewis, Gregg finished with a team-best eight tackles, including 2.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks. He also forced a fumble as part of a strip sack and intercepted a pass to lead a defensive effort that allowed only 28 rushing yards and 135 total yards.
Peter’s blocked punt in the third quarter helped turn the tide in CSU Pueblo’s 38-21 come-from-behind win at Chadron State. With the game tied 21-21 late in the third quarter, Peter blocked a punt and tackled the punter after he recovered the loose ball on the two-yard line. Two plays later, the ThunderWolves scored the go-ahead touchdown for a 28-21 lead they would not relinquish. It was Peter’s third blocked kick this season – fourth most in NCAA Division II.
