Tomlinson Earns WAC Football Offensive Player of the Week Award
11/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
DENVER (Nov. 13) - TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson, UTEP linebacker Trey Merkens and SMU placekicker Jacob Crowley were named the offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.
Tomlinson, a senior from Waco, Texas (University HS), rushed for 231 yards and a touchdown on 42 attempts in a 24-7 win over Fresno State. The touchdown came on a season-long run of 65 yards. It was Tomlinson's fourth 200-yard game this year, and he now has 1,679 yards rushing on the season. Tomlinson needs just 30 yards over his next two games to break the WAC's career rushing record of 4,813 yards set by Colorado State's Steve Bartalo from 1983-86.
Merkens, a senior from San Antonio, Texas (Tom C. Clark HS), recorded a career-high 16 tackles (nine solo) in UTEP's 38-21 win over Rice. He also added one tackle for a loss, forced a fumble and had a quarterback hurry. The Miners held Rice to 175 yards rushing, nearly 58 yards below its season average. The win clinches at least a share of the WAC Championship, the Miners' first-ever WAC title.
Crowley, a junior from Garland, Texas (North Mesquite HS), hit all three of extra points and connected on a 42-yard field goal into the wind in the fourth quarter that sealed SMU's 24-20 victory over Tulsa. It was the second-longest field goal of his career.
Other offensive nominees included sophomore wide receiver Ashley Lelie, Hawai'i; freshman wide receiver Gavin Boothe, Rice; sophomore tight end John Hampton, SMU; and junior wide receiver Lee Mays, UTEP.
On the defensive side, nominees included junior defensive back Nate Jackson, Hawai'i; senior defensive end Jake Jackson, Rice; sophomore nose guard Lute Croy, SMU; senior free safety Curtis Fuller, TCU; and senior linebacker Ashon Farley, Tulsa.
There were no other special team nominations.
