CEDAR CITY, Utah-Monday, Southern Utah University football made several headlines.

Following the Thunderbirds’ 17-7 win over Sam Houston last Saturday, redshirt senior punter and kicker Jake Gerardi earned WAC special teams player of the week honors.

Gerardi, a native of Oceanside, Calif., averaged 47.1 yards per punt in the win over the Bearkats.

This season, Gerardi averaged a program-record 48.1 yards per punt and recorded 19 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

Additionally, Thunderbirds freshman linebacker Kohner Cullimore was named as a national finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. This is annually given to the top freshman in FCS football.

Cullimore posted a team-high 76 tackles on the season for the Thunderbirds, including 10 stops for a loss.