ISU’s Irwin named conference Defensive Player of the Week

POCATELLO — Linebacker Jackson Irwin has been named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week after leading Idaho State to victory Saturday at Southern Utah University.

Irwin is the fourth Bengal to be named conference player of the week this season — through five weeks. He joins Week 0 Defensive Player of the Week Trehsyn Fesili, Week 1 Defensive Player of the Week Tre Shorty and Week 1 Special Teams Player of the Week Mason Lindberg.

The senior from Huntington Beach, Calif., did a bit of everything to lead ISU’s solid defensive effort. He finished the 28-24 victory with nine tackles, including three for a loss of yards, one sack and one interception.

Irwin’s interception was especially impactful, coming inside the ISU 10-yard line with the Bengals already trailing 7-0 in the second quarter. His sack effectively ended the first half, when he dropped SUU quarterback Will Burns near midfield with 16 second remaining in the second quarter.

Irwin is currently fourth on the team with 22 tackles, while leading the team in tackles for loss (4).

Fesili, a true freshman, leads the team with 2.5 sacks, and Shorty’s two interceptions currently paces ISU.

The No. 12 Bengals will be back in the ICCU Dome this week, hosting No. 19 Northern Arizona in a conference matchup of top-20 teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.