FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Oct. 9, 2017) – Northern Arizona University sophomore quarterback Case Cookus and junior safety Josh Clarke have been recognized as ROOT SPORTS Big Sky Players of the Week, for the period ending Oct. 7, conference officials announced on Monday.

Cookus was selected as the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week, while Clarke received Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honors. 

Cookus was honored after guiding the Lumberjack offense to a 431-yard performance over No. 7/11 Illinois State on Saturday.  The Redbirds entered the game with the nation's second-ranked defense and was allowing just 166.5 total yards per contest. 

The sophomore signal caller finished 26-of-45 through the air (380 yards) with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the 37-16 victory over Illinois State.  In addition, Cookus also hauled in the first touchdown reception of his career, a 23-yard pass from freshman Chance Brewington.

The Lumberjack offense has tallied over 400 yards in four of five games this season and Cookus has amassed 1,584 yards passing with 12 TDs and three interceptions over the first five games of 2017.

Clarke led the NAU defense with a career-best 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 assists), including 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup in the 21-point win over Illinois State. The Lumberjack defense held the Redbirds to their lowest point total this season of 16 points. Illinois State was held to 286 yards of total offense and just 63 yards on the ground (Illinois State entered last week's game averaging 190.2 rushing yards per contest).

The Northern Arizona win over No. 7/11 Illinois State represented the highest-ranked opponent a member of the Big Sky Conference has defeated this season.

The selections marks the third consecutive week and the third and fourth time this season that a NAU football player has been named a standout by the conference as senior safety Wes Sutton was recognized as the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25 and senior wide receiver Elijah Marks was honored by the conference on Oct 2 as the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week.

The Lumberjacks return to Big Sky action this weekend as they hit the road for a game at Portland State (0-5, 0-2 Big Sky) on Saturday, Oct. 14.  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT at Providence Park in Portland, Ore.