CEDAR CITY, Utah, Sept. 24 - Southern Utah's Josh Smith was named the ROOT Sports Big Sky Conference's Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance at Portland State.

Smith returned six kickoffs a total of 173 yards, including a 95-yard return for a touchdown to open the second half. His total return yardage ranks fifth all-time on the SUU single-game kickoff return charts and his 95-yard return is tied for the sixth-longest return in SUU history. He is the first player in the Sky to return a kickoff for a touchdown this season and the first Thunderbird to earn football player of the week honors from the conference.

Smith also earned recognition from the College Football Performance Awards as national kickoff returner of the week. He is the second player in as many weeks to receive the honor, as DT Cody Larsen was named national defensive lineman of the week for his performance against New Mexico Highlands.

-- SUU --