Pacific's PJ Minaya, Moses Villareal-Gomez Tapped For NWC Football Honors
FOREST GROVE – The roles of quarterback P.J. Minaya (Jr., Wahiawa, Hawaii) and kicker Moses Villareal-Gomez (So., Stockton, Calif.) in Pacific's rout of Puget Sound on Saturday have earned the tandem honors as two of the Northwest Conference's Football Student-Athletes of the Week. The awards, voted upon the league's sports information directors, was announced on Tuesday.
Minaya received the conference's Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week, marking the first time in his career that he has been singled out by the league. Villareal-Gomez was named the NWC's Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for the second time this season. The pair accounted for much of the scoring in the Boxers' 62-21 rout at Puget Sound on Saturday.
Minaya put together the best game of his Pacific career and one of the best quarterback performances since the program was reinstated in 2010. The junior completed 25 of 30 passes for 276 yards and threw for four touchdowns. He also ran for a fifth touchdown, rushing in from 13 yards out for the Boxers' first touchdown of the game. His pass efficiency rating for the game was an impressive 204.13.
"P.J. continues to improve with each week of starting experience," said Pacific Head Coach Keith Buckley. "What impressed our coaching staff the most was the complete game he put together, managing the offense and making smart decisions throughout the day. He took what the defense gave him as was evidenced by completing passes to 10 different receivers. He would also be the first to credit the offensive line for giving him the time to reach his open receivers."
Villareal-Gomez, meanwhile, was perfect in his kicking opportunities. He set a school record by making all eight of his point after attempts, breaking the previous record of seven set by Lloyd Little in 1972 and equaled by Frank Buckiewicz, Jr., in 1975. Villareal-Gomez also made both of his field goal attempts to start Pacific's scoring in each half. He split the uprights with a 28-yarder in the first quarter and hit a 23-yard attempt to open the second half.
"Moses continues to be a reliable weapon for us offensively and we have great confidence in knowing he can put points on the board anytime we get into the red zone," Buckley said.
Minaya continues to be a reliable field leader ever since taking over the starting role from the injured T.C. Campbell (Jr., Kaimuki, Hawaii) after the first game of the season. He enters the week ranked second in the NWC with a 66.2 completion percentage, having completed 92 of 139 passes. He also ranks fourth in completions and sixth with his average of 212.8 yards per game. Minaya also ranks 59th among NCAA Division III quarterbacks with a pass efficiency rating of 143.22.
Villareal-Gomez also sits towards the top of both the NWC and NCAA Division III rankings for kickers. He leads the NWC with his six made field goals on eight attempts, is ranked second with his 35 points scored by kicking and is ranked seventh in total scoring. He also enters the week ranked 19th in Division III with an average of 1.20 field goals per game.
Pacific enters the week with a 2-3 record and a 1-1 NWC mark. They return home to Lincoln Park Stadium on Saturday when they host Pacific Lutheran at 1 p.m.
