McDonald earns defensive player honors

WHITEFISH, Mont. — After nearly setting a new school record Saturday, Howard McDonald of Eastern Oregon was named as the Frontier Conference’s best defensive player of the week Monday.

McDonald, a 5-foot-9, 217-pound, senior linebacker from Silverdale, Wash., had 20 solo tackles in Eastern’s 26-23 victory over Montana Tech. 

McDonald also finished with one assisted tackle, three tackles for losses of 17 yards, two quarterback sacks, one pass break up and one forced fumble. 

His 20 solo tackles is the second-most tackles in Eastern Oregon history. 

Austin Dodge, Southern Oregon, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, sophomore quarterback from Vancouver, Wash., was named the offensive player of the week. 

In Southern’s 54-14 victory over Montana Western, Dodge was 26 of 39 passing for 347 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 19 yards on four carries. 

Among the other conference players being nominated were Jace Billingsley of Eastern Oregon, Bryce Baker of Rocky Mountain College, Nick Baker of Montana Tech and Jared Hunt of Carroll College.

Also nominated for defensive player of the week were Travis Bertelsen of Rocky Mountain College, Sean Blomquist of Carroll College and Ra Sjeon Hines of Southern Oregon.