Eastern Washington University football player, Jackson Cleaver, has been named the ROOT Sports Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference announced this morning (Oct. 4), for his performance over the weekend against Montana.
 
The nod is the first for the freshman, and the first for Eastern Washington since Seth Harrison in 2019. Cleaver, who filled in for Harrison against Montana, went a perfect 2-for-2 on both field goals and extra points in Eastern's 34-28 win over the Grizzlies on Oct. 2 at Roos Field.
 
Cleaver, who hails from Tigard, Ore., also booted for 400 yards on seven kickoffs, three of which were for 65 yards plus one for 64, for an average of 57.1 yards per attempt. He also added a tackle.
 
After making the first extra point when the Eagles scored on their opening drive, Cleaver made a career-long 32-yard field goal with 2:33 left in the first half.
 
He was also instrumental in the fourth quarter comeback, as Eastern Washington trailed 21-10 heading into the final frame before outscoring the Grizzlies 24-7 in the last 15 minutes. After Dennis Merritt scored on a one-yard rush, Cleaver would nail the extra point even after being moved back 10 yards from consecutive delay of game and false start penalties on Eastern Washington.
 
Up 31-28 with 1:21 left to play, Cleaver helped add some insurance with a 30-yard attempt through the uprights, putting the Eagles ahead for good, 34-28.
 
It was just the fourth career game for Cleaver and the second of the season. He is a perfect 3-for-3 in his young career on field goal attempts after making his lone attempt last season. He also made six extra points last season, all against Northern Arizona, to bring him to a total of 18 career kick points in four games played.
 
Cleaver and the rest of the Eagles, who are ranked No. 4 in both the Stats Perform FCS and the AFCA polls this week, are preparing for a matchup this Saturday (Oct. 9) at Northern Colorado. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. Pacific time from Greeley, Colo., on ESPN+.