Weber St. football: Toone gets national attention

OGDEN — Tim Toone's 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Sacramento State on Saturday did more than set Weber State and Big Sky records — it earned him some national recognition.

Toone was named The Sports Network's national FCS special teams player of the week for his efforts against the Hornets. He had two punt returns for 109 yards and a total of four touchdowns and 263 all-purpose yards in Weber State's 49-10 win.

"That's nice," Toone said. "It's just a good thing for the team and everything."

Toone was also named the Big Sky's special teams player of the week. His 95-yard punt return bettered the old conference record by 1 yard and gave the Wildcats a 21-0 lead over the Hornets. Weber State's Randle Anderson had held the old record since 1971.

"That's big time," said coach Ron McBride. "He broke a conference record — very deserving."

Toone has returned two punts for touchdowns in his career at Weber State and Saturday's was his first of the season. He is Weber State's all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns. He became the seventh player in Big Sky history to record more than 3,000 career receiving yards against the Hornets. Toone has earned three career conference player of the week awards

Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards (offense), Fordham cornerback Isa Abdul El-Quddus (defense) and Eastern Kentucky safety Patrick McClellan (defense) also earned national players of the week honors from The Sports Network.

Along with Toone, Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins and Montana State defender Dane Fletcher earned player of the week honors.

Higgins completed 23-of-30 passes for 290 yards with a career-high tying five touchdowns in the Wildcats' win over Sacramento State. The 2008 Big Sky Offensive MVP and Walter Payton Award candidate had an efficiency rating of 212.9. Higgins threw four of his touchdowns in the first half as the Wildcats built a 35-7 halftime lead.

Higgins leads the nation with 2,109 passing yards through seven games. Higgins has been named player of the week twice this season and six times in his career.

e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com