CEDAR CITY, Utah, Nov. 1 - Southern Utah University swept the Great West Conference's Player of the Week awards this week after Saturday's 56-35 conference win over UC Davis. Running back Major Gray earned the offensive honor, cornerback Colin Pretlow was named on defense and Fesi Sitake received the nod for special teams.

Gray, a 5-foot-9, 205-pound junior from Las Vegas, Nev. (Valley HS/Feather River JC) tied the SUU record for rushing touchdowns in a game with four Saturday, including three in the first half when the Thunderbirds built a 42-21 advantage. Gray carried 16 times for 74 yards to average 4.6 yards per carry, and eight of his 16 carries either went for first downs or touchdowns (or both). He has been the team's leading rusher in five straight games after beginning the season as a situational goal-line back.

Pretlow, a 5-10, 176-pound junior from Las Vegas, Nev. (Las Vegas HS) intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown, thwarting UC Davis' come-back bid. The score pushed SUU's advantage to 56-35 and stopped a 14-point run by the Aggies. Pretlow also led the Thunderbirds with 13 tackles (10 solo) forced a fumble and broke up three passes. He helped hold UC Davis all-conference WR Chris Carter to just 47 receiving yards, his second-lowest total of the season. Pretlow now has a team-high two interceptions on the year, including one in each of the past two games.

Sitake, a 5-11, 185-pound wide receiver/punt returner from Sandy, Utah (Hillcrest HS), returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to stake SUU to a 35-21 lead. It was the first punt return for a touchdown at SUU since 2004. Sitake returned three punts a total of 106 yards, including returns of 61, 17 and 28 yards. In addition to the TD run-back, another of his returns set the team up on the UC Davis 41-yard line and led to the T-Birds' first touchdown. At receiver Sitake caught six passes for 61 yards as well.

This is the first time in the six years of the GWC that SUU has swept the conference awards. The three awards give SUU seven on the season. CB Erron Vonner earned the defensive award after last week's win over North Dakota, WR Tysson Poots got the offensive nod after the Cal Poly game, QB Cade Cooper was honored following the Northern Arizona game and kicker Ryan Griffith was special teams player of the week in the opening week of the season.

-- SUU --