Juquelle Thompson has a knack for making big plays. It makes him an easy choice to be the Fort Lewis College football team’s kickoff and punt returner.
After fielding a punt and racing 75 yards for a touchdown Saturday at New Mexico Highlands, Thompson was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. The Skyhawks won the game 49-7, with Thompson’s punt return changing the game with only 11 seconds to play in the first half.
It is the second such honor Thompson has received the last two seasons at FLC. He received the same award the week of Oct. 27, 2014.
Thompson also was an All-RMAC Second Team selection a year ago.
The 6-foot, 156-pound wide receiver from San Jose, California, has had a big season for the Skyhawks (3-1), who have opened the conference season 2-0 for the first time since 1997.
Thompson now has four touchdowns this season. Three of those have come as a receiver, including in the season-opening loss to Division I Montana State. He has averaged 151.5 all-purpose yards and has caught 15 passes for 258 yards.
Western State quarterback Mitch Glasmann was named the conference’s offensive player of the week. He threw four touchdown passes, giving him 100 career touchdowns. That mark set a new RMAC career touchdown record.
Glasmann passed for 501 yards, a new career-high.
Glasmann needs 597 yards to break the RMAC career passing record, and he will get his next chance at noon Saturday at Fort Lewis. The Skyhawks will be tested by the Division II passing leader.
Morgan Fox of No. 10 CSU-Pueblo was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week. Fox, a defensive end, recorded three sacks in the 42-27 win against Western New Mexico. He and the ThunderWolves allowed the Mustangs to rush for only 15 yards in the second half, forcing Glasmann to air it out for his big day.
Fox leads Division II with 10 sacks this season, and his 13 tackles for a loss also lead the country.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
