Cortez, Wolleck Get Kicks in Pac-10 Wins

Oregon State kicker Jose Cortez was named Pacific 10 Conference player of the week for his role in a 30-23 victory over Stanford on Saturday.

The Van Nuys High and Valley College alumnus kicked field goals of 42, 22 and 52 yards to help the Beavers snap a 14-game conference losing streak.

It was a good week for another kicker from the region, Tim Wolleck, who helped California upset USC, 32-31. An alumnus of Simi Valley High and Moorpark College, Wolleck kicked a 34-yard field goal and converted the extra point that provided the winning margin.

At Nevada, former Hart quarterback David Neill continues to impress. Two weeks after becoming a starter, Neill threw for 611 yards--an NCAA freshman record--in the Wolf Pack’s 48-45 loss to New Mexico State.

Kenyatta Burris also played well in a losing effort. The former Monroe receiver led Iowa State with six receptions for 47 yards in a 35-19 loss to Missouri.

Kennedy alumnus Waking Bailey had similar numbers--four receptions for 47 yards--to help San Jose State beat Rice, 20-17.

Swanson’s song: For the second time this season, Northridge linebacker Brennen Swanson is the Big Sky Conference defensive player of the week.

The junior from Santa Ynez is sharing the honor with Northern Arizona linebacker Afa Faraimo.

Swanson had 11 tackles and three sacks in Northridge’s 21-7 victory over Montana on Saturday. He leads the team in sacks with 7 1/2 and is second in tackles with 39.

Poll climbing: The Matadors reached their highest ranking since joining Division I-AA in 1993, climbing to No. 16 in each the Sports Network and the USA Today/ESPN polls.