Giza Chosen NWC Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University sophomore cornerback Tyson Giza (Salem, OR/Sprague HS) has been named Northwest Conference Football Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in the Bearcats' season opener against nationally-ranked University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Pointers edged the Bearcats, 8-6, on Saturday, Sept. 3 at McCulloch Stadium.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University sophomore cornerback Tyson Giza (Salem, OR/Sprague HS) has been named Northwest Conference Football Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in the Bearcats' season opener against nationally-ranked University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Pointers edged the Bearcats, 8-6, on Saturday, Sept. 3 at McCulloch Stadium.
Giza contributed on special teams with two kickoff returns for a total of 58 yards, an average of 29.0 yards per return. Giza's longest return covered 39 yards tot he UWSP 49-yard line and gave Willamette its best starting field position of the game with 12:47 left in the second quarter.
In addition to his kickoff returns, Giza also registered three tackles on defense, including two solo stops, and forced one fumble. The WU defense limited the Pointers to just 204 total yards and nine first downs. UW-Stevens Point, which entered the game ranked #23 in the D3football.com Top 25 Preseason Poll, used two field goals and a safety to record the close win.
The Pointers are 1-0 on the season. Willamette, which received votes in the Preseason Poll but was not ranked in the Top 25, opened the year at 0-1.
Willamette will host another Top 25 opponent when they take on #9 Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) on Saturday, Sept. 10. Game time at McCulloch Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m. (PDT). Hardin-Simmons won its season opener in Abilene, Texas, 41-14, over visiting Coe College (Iowa).
Tyson Giza returned two kickoffs for a total of 58 yards against UW-Stevens Point.