Oct. 21, 2005

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

JOE SUNNEN, THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Western Washington University inside linebacker Brandon Elliott knows how to make an impact.

The sophomore from Auburn totaled 11 tackles and a sack coming off the bench on Saturday against Western Oregon to earn Great Northwest Athletic Conference defensive player of the week honors.

Elliott, who usually plays in a limited role, replaced injured starter Adam Klingenberg.

"When you just get out there for a couple of plays and you make a mistake, you never have the chance to make up for it and never get in a rhythm," Elliott said. "I felt like I was finally able to get up to game speed and play at the level I can play at."

Elliott has 17 tackles in seven games this season. He played in 10 games last year and made three starts. As a freshman he was named defensive scout team player of the year.

"Getting more playing time is like getting a paycheck," Elliott said. "Sometime when you're in that backup role it can get mundane. It's like a job where you don't get paid. When you play, it's like getting a paycheck."

CHANGE OF SCENERY

After suffering three losses in four seasons against Western Oregon in Monmouth, Ore., Viking coach Rob Smith decided his team needed a change.

WWU stayed in a new hotel on the trip and also switched offensive and defensive locker rooms.

"We just needed to try and change the Mojo," Smith said. "The players knew the history, especially those that have been through it. I didn't make a big deal out of it, but it was just nice to go down and play a solid game."

THE REPLACEMENTS

While senior wide receiver Andy Olson has been dealing with injuries most of the season, the rest of the WWU receiving corps has given the Vikings a lift.

Sophomore Matt Wilson had two big plays against the Wolves, scoring touchdowns on 19 and 45-yard passes. The 45-yard grab was the third longest touchdown catch of the season for WWU. Brett Upchurch, a sophomore slot back, leads the team with 29 receptions.

"It's been a much needed element to our offense," Smith said. "These are just a bunch of blue-collar guys that really have come out of nowhere when they first started here."

ROAD TRIP

The Vikings will leave for Arcata, Calif., for their game on Saturday against Humboldt State on Thursday night. After a short practice, WWU will board a bus at around 6 p.m. bound for Salem, Ore., then finish the trip to California on Friday.

"We have an evening kickoff down there which is something we've never done before," Smith said. "Then it's back on the bus for a 14 or 15 hour ride back here."

Six of the Vikings' eight games this season have been on the road. They finish the season with a pair of home games.

"If there is one thing this team knows how to do, it's travel," Smith said.

INJURY UPDATE

Right tackle Will Freitag and defensive lineman Geoff Hise practiced on Tuesday and will likely make the trip to play against Humboldt State.

Freitag missed Saturday's game with a dislocated toe, while Hise was out with a calf injury. Slot back Chris Robinson, who is nursing a hamstring pull, will not play this week.