After returning two punts for touchdowns in Colorado State’s win over Fresno State, senior wide receiver Joe Hansley was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week Monday.
Hansley scored three touchdowns during Saturday’s 34-31 win over the Bulldogs, including the two on punt returns. They were CSU’s first punt-return touchdowns since Sept. 1, 2013, when Hansley ran one back against Colorado.
Hansley became just the second Ram to ever return two punts for touchdowns in a game, joining Dallas Davis vs. Utah on Oct. 28, 1999.
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Adding to his versatility, Hansley added a third touchdown, this time as a wide receiver. The 24-yard score ended up being the game winner, helping CSU overcome a 17-point deficit – the largest since coming back from 22 down in the 2013 New Mexico Bowl vs. Washington State.
In addition to Hansley’s two punt returns for scores, sophomore cornerback Kevin Nutt, Jr. took a kickoff 96 yards into the end zone, cutting the Rams’ deficit to 24-20 just seconds into the second half. According to ESPN Stats & Info, CSU is the first college football team in 10 seasons to score three special-teams touchdowns in a game.
Hansley is the third Ram to receive MW recognition this season, joining quarterback Nick Stevens (offensive, Sept. 7) and kicker Wyatt Bryan (special teams, Sept. 14).
Collegian Sports Staff can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
