Grizzlies’ Lawler shares Big Sky defensive honors

FARMINGTON, Utah — Montana cornerback Kenzel Lawler, whose interception return for a touchdown started the Grizzlies’ 28-9 comeback win over Cal Poly Saturday, was named co-defensive player of the week by the Big Sky Conference Monday. 

Lawler’s 21-yard pick-6 narrowed Cal Poly’s 9-0 lead at 12:12 of the third quarter; the senior out of Corona, California — he transferred in 2024 after two seasons at Utah — also had two tackles. He was part of a defense that allowed five passing yards after halftime. 

Lawler shared the award with Northern Colorado safety Cam Chapa. The sophomore out of Aurora, Colorado had 10 tackles, eight of them solo, an interception and a tackle for loss in the Bears’ 49-33 road win over then-No. 11 Idaho. After his interception, UNC ran the final 2:32 off the clock, sealing the Vandals’ first home loss in nine games. 

UC Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick and Sacramento State return man Rodney Hammond, Jr., took home the offensive and special teams honors. 

Pinnick, the Aggies’ redshirt freshman QB, had another big game in a 45-24 win over Northern Arizona, completed 25 of 29 passes for 348 yards and five scores — the most by an Aggie since 2018.  

Pinnick, who shared the award last week, has been honored three times by the Big Sky in 2025. The last player to do that is Montana’s Dalton Sneed, who won three consecutive honors during the 2019 season.
Hammond, a senior running back who transferred in from PItt, helped Sacramento State to a 55-27 victory at Weber State. One of his three touchdowns was a 99-yard kickoff return that pushed the Hornets’ lead to 48-27 with 8:21 left in the game.  

Hammond, who also rushed for 106 yards and two TDs, had the longest return by a Hornet since Tyrone Taylor went 99 yards against Idaho State in 1996. He had 239 all-purpose yards. 

Also nominated this week were: Montana’s Eli Gillman and MSU quarterback Justin Lamson on offense; and UM’s Ty Morrison on special teams.