DENVER - San Jose State safety Cullen Newsome, Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton and Louisiana Tech punter Ryan Allen were named the Western Athletic Conference defensive, offensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.

Newsome, a senior from Roseville, Calif. (American River College), had a season-high 10 tackles (6 solo) and intercepted a pass in San Jose State's 31-20 win over Texas State.  Trailing 20-17 to start the third quarter, Newsome intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards to stop the Bobcats' opening drive of the half.  Texas State was held scoreless in the second half and totaled just 98 yards of total offense after the intermission.

Newsome is the fifth Spartan to receive Player of the Week recognition this season. Defensive end Travis Johnson, twice, linebacker Vince Buhagiar; defensive back Bené Benwikere; and kick returner Tyler Ervin were honored earlier this season. All but Ervin were recognized as the conference's Defensive Player of the Week.

Keeton, a sophomore from Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek HS), completed 27-of-36 passes for 340 yards with three touchdowns in Utah State's 48-17 win at UTSA.  The 27 completions were a career-high for Keeton, and it was his third career 300-yard passing game.

Allen, a senior from Salem, Ore. (Oregon State), punted five times for a 52.4-yard average in Louisiana Tech's 28-14 win at New Mexico State.  He had two punts downed inside the 20-yard line and also broke a school-record with an 85-yard punt in the first quarter.  That punt is the longest by any player in the nation this year.  Allen, the reigning Ray Guy Award winner, now leads the nation in punting with a 48.0-yard average.

Others nominated on offense: senior running back Ray Holley, Louisiana Tech; junior running back Germi Morrison, New Mexico State; and senior running back De'Leon Eskridge, San Jose State.

Also nominated on defense: senior defensive back Chad Boy, Louisiana Tech; junior safety Davis Cazares, New Mexico State; sophomore free safety Triston Wade, UTSA; and freshman linebacker Kyler Fackrell, Utah State.

Other special teams nominations included: sophomore placekicker Nick Diaz, Utah State.

-WAC-