Colorado State University Athletics
Holland, Rucks Named MWC Players of the Week
10/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2005
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Colorado State quarterback Justin Holland and defensive back Joey Rucks were honored as the Mountain West Conference offensive and special teams players of the week.
Holland, a senior from Lakewood, Colo., completed 20-of-37 passes for a career-most 419 yards and four touchdowns in Colorado State's 39-31 victory over Wyoming. The four touchdown passes were a career-high for Holland, while the 419 passing yards rank as the third-highest figure in school history.
Holland has thrown a touchdown pass in all seven of CSU's games this year and has thrown two or more in six of seven contests to date. Currently, he ranks eighth on the CSU all-time passing charts with 4,452 yards while ranking fourth in school history with five 300-yard passing games. His 1,969 passing yards in 2005 is just 418 yards away from the top ten in single season yards.
Rucks, a sohpomore transfer from Los Angeles via West Los Angeles Community College, had four special teams tackles, three unassisted, and recovered a fumble in Colorado State's victory over Wyoming. During the first drive of the fourth quarter, Colorado State was forced to punt. Wyoming's Hoost Marsh returned the Ram punt 49 yards to the CSU 25-yard line when Matt Bartz forced a fumble that was recovered by Rucks at the 18. The following play, Ram QB Justin Holland connected with WR David Anderson for an 82-yard touchdown strike to give CSU a 33-24 lead. In his first year with CSU, Rucks has compiled eight tackles.
Holland and Rucks join punter Jimmie Kaylor as the three Rams to receive a player of the week award this season. Kaylor was named special teams player of the week on Oct. 3 after his performance against Air Force.
