Portland State junior safety Manoa Latu has been named the Big Sky Conference co-Defensive Player of the Week following the Vikings' 38-3 victory over Idaho State last Saturday.

Latu had six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. His 43-yard interception return for touchdown in the first period gave the Vikings a 14-0 lead and put them on their way to a rout over the Bengals.

Latu was first-year Head Coach Nigel Burton's first signee after arriving at Portland State last December. The 6-1, 205-pounder is a native of Kapahulu, HI and attended Mount San Antonio College (CA). His performance paced a Viking defense that held Idaho State without a touchdown. It was the first time in 40 games that the PSU defense has kept an opponent out of the endzone. ISU was held under 200 yards of offense as well, the first time the PSU defense has accomplished that feat in 26 games.

Through four games this year, Latu has 31 tackles to share team leadership with linebacker Ryan Rau. His four pass breakups and two interceptions also share team leadership for the Vikings.

Quarterback Denarius McGhee of Montana State was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week (385 yards passing, four touchdowns, 420 yards total offense) following an overtime win against Sacramento State.

Matt Estrada of Northern Arizona was the Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a punt 66 yards for a touchdown and forcing a fumble on punt coverage in a win over Southern Utah.

Latu shared Defensive Player of the Week honors with Montana DT Bryan Waldhauser, who had seven tackles, a sack and forced two fumbles in a win over Northern Colorado.