Sept. 19, 2005
DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis quarterback Jon Grant was named the Great West Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after helping lead the Aggies to a stunning 20-17 victory over Stanford on Saturday night at Stanford Stadium.
Grant, a senior from Pacific Grove, coimpleted 23 of 43 passes for 251 yards but saved his best toss for last, hitting receiver Blaise Smith for a 3-yard touchdown with eight seconds left. The play capped an 11-play, 78-yard drive by the Aggies who took over at their own 28 with 2:42 remaining, and gave them a 20-17 lead.
Grant threw for 57 yards on the winning drive and ran for 12 more, part of his 292 yards of total offense on Saturday. Grant, who did not throw an interception, finished the game with 41 rushing yards.
The award marks the second consecutive week the Aggies have had the conference's offensive player of the week - receiver Tony Kays won it on Sept. 12 - and is the third straight overall after cornerback Nevan Bergan garnered defensive honors on Sept. 5.
Defensive end Chris Gocong of Cal Poly was named the GWFC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday while North Dakota State punter Mike Dragosovich was earned special team honors.
UC Davis, which improved to 1-2 with the major upset, returns to action this Saturday when it travels to rival Sacramento State for the 52nd annual Causeway Classic.
Other nominees:
Offense -- Cal Poly running back James Noble, North Dakota state halfback Kyle Steffes and Northern Colorado running back Andre Wilson.
Defense -- Northern Colorado defensive back Reed Doughty, UC Davis defensive end James Amos, South Dakota State defensive back Andy Hoogeveen, South Dakota State linebacker Joe Mays and Southern Utah linebacker Steve Smith.
Special Teams -- South Dakota State punter Neal Bainbridge, Northern Colorado return specialist Aaron Henderson, UC Davis punter Gabe Ellis, Cal Poly placekicker Nick Coromelas and Southern Utah punter Brandon Perkins.
