DENVER - San Jose State kick returner Tyler Ervin, Utah State running back Kerwynn Williams and Louisiana Tech linebacker Antonio Mitchum were named the Western Athletic Conference special teams, offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

Ervin, a sophomore from Colton, Calif. (Colton HS), returned five kickoffs for 167 yards and a touchdown in San Jose State's 38-34 win at San Diego State.  After San Diego State took a 7-3 lead, Ervin took the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, the only kick return for a score in the FBS this past weekend.  His return tied a San Jose State career record for kickoffs returned for touchdowns and helped the Spartans set a single-game team record for most kickoff return yardage in a game at 253.

Ervin is the third Spartan to receive a conference player of the week award this season. Defensive end Travis Johnson and linebacker Vince Buhagiar were Defensive Players of the Week following the wins over UC Davis (click here for Johnson) and Colorado State (click here for Buhagiar).

Williams, a senior from Las Vegas, Nev. (Valley HS), racked up 227 all-purpose yards in Utah State's 31-19 win at Colorado State.  Williams rushed for a career-high 205 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns and added three receptions for 22 yards.  He had touchdown runs of 26 and 58 yards in the game with the latter being a career-long.  It was his second career 100-yard rushing game and first multi-touchdown game.

Mitchum, a senior from North Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Georgia Military College), had 10 tackles (8 solo), including two for a loss of 12 yards, in Louisiana Tech's 52-24 win at Illinois.  He also forced one fumble and recovered two fumbles including one for a touchdown following a punt to give the Bulldogs a 42-17 lead in the third quarter.

Others nominated on offense: senior wide receiver Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech; sophomore wide receiver Austin Franklin, New Mexico State; junior quarterback David Fales, San Jose State; sophomore running back David Glasco II, UTSA; and senior quarterback Shaun Rutherford, Texas State.

Also nominated on defense: junior safety Davis Cazares, New Mexico State; junior linebacker Vince Buhagiar, San Jose State; sophomore free safety Triston Wade, UTSA; sophomore cornerback Craig Mager, Texas State; and sophomore linebacker Zach Vigil, Utah State.

Other special teams nominations included: senior placekicker Trey Farquhar, Idaho; senior placekicker Matt Nelson, Louisiana Tech; junior punter Cayle Chapman-Brown, New Mexico State; sophomore return specialist Kenny Harrison, UTSA; freshman wide receiver Jafus Gaines, Texas State; and senior punter Tyler Bennett, Utah State.

-WAC-