OGDEN, Utah – Idaho safety Jalen Hoover was named the ROOT Sports Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week for games played Nov. 3, the league office announced Monday. Hoover blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown as Idaho erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat North Dakota 31-27, Saturday, at the Kibbie Dome.
With 8:16 left in the game and the Vandals facing a 27-17 deficit, Hoover stormed a Fighting Hawk punt attempt and laid out to block the kick. The bounding ball was scooped up by Connor Whitney and returned for a touchdown.