SMITH NAMED CO-BIG SKY OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOLLOWING CAUSEWAY WIN

11/10/2008

OGDEN, Utah — Sacramento State's Jason Smith was named the Big Sky Conference's co-offensive player of the week, it was announced today. The honor is the first for Smith in his two year career.

The junior led the Hornets to a 29-19 victory over UC Davis in the 55th-annual Causeway Classic on Nov. 8. In the game, Smith played a part in all four Sacramento State touchdowns, throwing three to Tony Washington and running for one himself.

The Brentwood, Calif., native opened the game strongly, completing all five of his first quarter passes, including touchdowns of 29 and 35 yards to Washington to help the Hornets take a 15-0 lead. Smith later tacked on a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter  — his third of the season — and threw a 2-yard strike to Washington in the third quarter.

He ended the game with 209 passing yards and did not throw an interception before leaving the contest with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. This season, Smith has now completed 117-of-201 attempts and has 12 touchdowns with only three interceptions.

Smith shared the award with Montana running back Chase Reynolds who tallied 160 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Grizzlies 29-12 win at Portland State.

Smith is the fourth Hornet to earn the Big Sky honor this season but is the first offensive player. Defensive linemen Zack Nash and Christian Clark and defensive back Deionte Gordon were each named defensive player of the week.

Sacramento State (5-5) will play its final home game of the season on Sat., Nov. 15, when it hosts Northern Colorado at 2:05 p.m. Prior to the start of the game, the team will honor its seniors who will be competing at Hornet Stadium for the final time.