Weber State football’s Rashid Shaheed was named the special teams player of the week for both the Big Sky Conference and for the nation, the latter selected by STATS FCS, for his record-setting kickoff return in Saturday’s win at Idaho State.

Shaheed’s 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter was the seventh of his career, which sets a new career record for the FCS subdivision which began in 1979.

The feat also ties the senior receiver for the best career mark in Division I football history, as four players in FBS history have returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns.

Shaheed finished the day with 290 all-purpose yards to become just the fourth player in program history to eclipse the 5,000 career all-purpose yard mark at Weber State.

After raising its overall record to 4-4, WSU football came in ranked No. 24 in both national polls this week.

FURMANIAK LEADS SOCCER HONORS

Weber State soccer senior midfielder Sadie Newsom was named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team, the league announced Monday, and freshman forward Morgan Furmaniak was named the conference’s newcomer of the year.

Newsom scored one goal this season from the midfielder spot.

Furmaniak burst onto the scene with six goals and five assists this season.

Senior midfielder Taylor Slack, who totaled five goals and one assist, and sophomore defender Olivia Tucker, were named to the Second Team. Defender Hailey Price and goalkeeper Mekell Moss were honorable mentions.

WSU soccer (9-9, 6-3 Big Sky) opens the Big Sky tournament at 2 p.m. Wednesday in a quarterfinal against Idaho (10-5-2, 4-4-1) in Greeley, Colorado. That match will stream on ESPN+. The winner advances to the semifinals Friday to face league champion Northern Colorado.

BASKETBALL BEGINS

The Weber State men’s basketball team unofficially opens the 2021-22 season by hosting a non-counting exhibition game against Concordia-St. Paul at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Dee Events Center. There will be no live stream or radio for the exhibition.

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