The RMAC Player of the Week is an honor that is handed out to three position players every week, and for the fourth time this season, that honor has been awarded to a member of the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves.
The RMAC Player of the Week honors are awarded to one offensive, one defensive, and one special teams player every week. Senior defensive back Stephan Dickens earned the honor for his effort on special teams during the game against Western New Mexico University Sept. 29. This is the second time that he has earned the award in as many years. He was named the Defensive Player of the Week for week two last season.
Dickens had three punt returns for 90 yards in the contest. Two of the punt returns set the Thunderwolves up in scoring position, and resulted in touchdowns on the way to a 45-7 victory over the Mustangs. Dickens also played a major role on defense as he totaled two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.
The special teams unit for the Thunderwolves is ranked in the top 15 nationally for yards per return with just under 20 yards. Dickens ranks first in the RMAC and fifth in the nation, with an average return of just over 21 yards per punt.
After the game against Division I opponent Sam Houston State, two members of the Thunderwolves were named RMAC Player of the Week. Senior defensive end Darius Allen was named the Defensive Player of the Week after racking up five tackles and four sacks. Allen also forced a fumble that resulted in a field goal for CSU-Pueblo.
During the same game, junior kicker Greg O’Donnell tallied 17 points as he went 5-for-5 on extra point attempts and 4-for-5 on field goal attempts on his way to earning Special Teams Player of the Week honors. O’Donnell won the award last year for his efforts in week eight.
Sophomore linebacker Seth Brown is the other recipient of the award for the Thunderwolves. He was named the Defensive Player of the Week after the 26-23 victory over Western State. In the game he had an interception that was returned for a touchdown and tied the game just before halftime as well as seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
The Thunderwolves are no strangers to the award. Last season, the award was given to a player for CSU-Pueblo on eight different occasions. Four times it was awarded for outstanding play on special teams, three times for offense, and once on defense. Chris Bonner and Brandon Kliesen both received the award twice last year for their roles on offense and special teams respectively.
The team relied on the aforementioned players as they took on Adams State Saturday in the team’s first home game in a month. CSU-Pueblo came away victorious, beating the Grizzlies 17-7. The Grizzlies are 0-3 in RMAC play, while the Thunderwolves are still a perfect 3-0.
