Kicker Myers Earns Big Sky Special Teams Honor; National Rankings Improve

OGDEN, Utah – Northern Arizona kicker Matt Myers was named the Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Eastern Washington quarterback Matt Nichols is the Offensive Player of the Week, while Weber State defensive back Thyrell Lewis is the Defensive Player of the Week.

Matt Myers, a 6-foot, 210-pound sophomore from Corona, Calif., made four field goals and four extra points in No. 24 Northern Arizona’s 40-12 victory over Idaho State. Myers connected on field goals of 45, 24, 26 and 22 yards. He finished the game with 16 points, making all eight of his kicks. This is the first Player of the Week honor for Myers.

Myers is 10-of-12 on the season on field goal attempts and has made seven consecutive overall. He is 27-for-27 on extra-point attempts.

The Lumberjacks are ranked as high as No. 21 by The Sports Network FCS College Football poll and appear in both prominent national polls for the second consecutive week. The Lumberjacks are also ranked No. 22 in the FCS Coaches Poll.

The Sports Network FCS College Football poll
Team (No. 1 Votes), 2009 Record, Points
1. Richmond (128) 7-0 3,433
2. Montana (7) 7-0 3,255
3. Southern Illinois (2) 6-1 3,165
4. Villanova (1) 7-1 3,013
5. William & Mary 6-1 2,797
6. Elon 6-1 2,619
7. Appalachian State 5-2 2,536
8. New Hampshire 6-1 2,386
9. South Dakota State 6-1 2,279
10. South Carolina State (1) 6-1 2,105
11. Stephen F. Austin 6-1 1,915
12. Northern Iowa 5-3 1,845
13. McNeese State 5-2 1,824
14. Weber State 5-3 1,566
15. Central Arkansas 5-2 1,443
16. Delaware 5-2 1,220
17. Holy Cross 6-1 985
18. Cal Poly 4-3 970
19. Massachusetts 4-3 866
20. Eastern Illinois 6-2 798
21. Northern Arizona 5-2 703
22. Jacksonville State 4-3 689
23. Liberty 5-2 666
24. Colgate 7-1 509
25. Prairie View A&M 5-1 269

2009 FCS Coaches Poll
Team (No. 1 Votes), 2009 Record, Points
1. Richmond (28) 7-0 700
2. Montana 7-0 668
3. Southern Illinois 6-1 645
4. Villanova 7-1 614
5. William & Mary 6-1 578
6. Elon 6-1 546
7. New Hampshire 6-1 508
8. Appalachian State 5-2 493
9. South Dakota State 6-1 457
10. South Carolina State 6-1 453
11. McNeese State 5-2 419
12. Central Arkansas 5-2 354
13. Weber State 5-3 352
14. Northern Iowa 5-3 340
15. Stephen F. Austin 6-1 328
16. Cal Poly 4-3 231
17. Holy Cross 5-1 192
18. Delaware 5-2 179
19. Eastern Illinois 6-2 172
20. Jacksonville State 4-3 149
21. Eastern Washington 5-3 141
22. Northern Arizona 5-2 128
23. Massachusetts 4-3 116
24. Liberty 5-2 67
T25. Colgate 7-1 64
T25. Prairie View A&M 5-1 64