POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State Football linebacker Jackson Irwin was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against the Thunderbirds in Cedar City this past weekend.
Irwin tied for the team lead with nine tackles (six solo) and added 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and a quarterback hurry as Idaho State held on for a 28-24 win at Southern Utah to move to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big Sky. With the Thunderbirds leading 7-0 and facing first-and-10 at the ISU 12 in the second quarter, Irwin intercepted Will Burns at the 4-yard line off of a tipped ball by Junior Kafusi to end the threat.
Irwin's 3.0 tackles for loss totaled 15 yards, including an 8-yard sack of Burns in the final minute of the first half. The Bengal defense forced three turnovers, including two fumbles recovered inside ISU territory in the second half. It held Southern Utah to one score in four red-zone trips and closed the game with a fourth-down sack.
Irwin and the Bengals are back at it this Saturday taking on the NAU Lumberjacks, 6:00 PM in the ICCU Dome in Pocatello.
