In an impressive demonstration of skill and determination, New Mexico sophomore quarterback Devon Dampier has been recognized as the both the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week and AP National Player of the Week. His remarkable performance contributed significantly to the Lobos’ thrilling 38-35 victory over No. 18 Washington State. This week also saw Utah State senior safety Jordan Vincent honored as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week. Meanwhile, UNLV freshman placekicker Caden Chittenden and Colorado State running back Justin Marshall received recognition as the MW Special Teams Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively.
Devon Dampier’s achievements this week are particularly notable. The Phoenix, Arizona native not only rushed the ball 28 times for an impressive 193 yards and three touchdowns but also completed 11 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. His performance was critical in leading the Lobos to their first victory over a ranked opponent in 21 years, and their first win against a nonconference ranked team in an astounding 84 years. Dampier executed a game-winning 1-yard touchdown run with just 21 seconds remaining, capping off a stellar effort. Additionally, he orchestrated a crucial 86-yard drive that resulted in a score, taking the lead at 31-28 with 4:40 left in the game, followed by another 75-yard drive to solidify the win.
Beyond this week’s game, Dampier has set multiple records for the New Mexico football team. He became the first quarterback in the program’s history to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a single season. Furthermore, he established new season records for consecutive games with 100 or more rushing yards (three), rushing touchdowns (13), and total rushing yards (1,065).
In the realm of defense, Jordan Vincent of Utah State secured the Defensive Player of the Week honor following a standout performance against Hawai‘i, where he recorded five tackles and a career-high two interceptions. His contributions helped the Aggies to a comprehensive 55-10 victory, demonstrating his defensive prowess and pivotal role in limiting Hawai‘i to just 10 points and 309 yards of total offense.
Caden Chittenden of UNLV earned the Special Teams Player of the Week title after scoring 11 points in the Rebels’ 41-20 win over San Diego State. The freshman placekicker successfully converted two field goals and five extra points, showcasing his accuracy and consistency under pressure. Chittenden also matched the MW freshman record for field goals in a season with his 22nd, positioning him as a top performer in the conference.
Justin Marshall from Colorado State was named Freshman of the Week for his dynamic performance against Wyoming, where he rushed for 104 yards and captured a key touchdown. Marshall’s efforts contributed to Colorado State’s 24-10 victory, securing the Bronze Boot and keeping their Mountain West record unblemished at 5-0.
Overall, these players demonstrated exceptional athleticism and strategic skill, making significant contributions to their teams’ successes in a highly competitive environment.