Oct. 21, 2002
COLORADO SPRINGS - For the second week in a row and the third time this season a San Diego State Aztec has been named Mountain West Conference player of the week.
Receiver J.R. Tolver, who had seven receptions for 133 yards Saturday at Wyoming, including two critical catches on San Diego State's final drive of the day, has been named offensive player of the week by the league. It is Tolver's second player-of-the-week honor. He received the award after his 12-catch, 296-yard receiving effort against Arizona State. That game was the 13th best day in NCAA history.
Last week, SDSU defensive back Ricky Sharpe was the Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week.
Tolver, a senior from Mira Mesa High School, is in the middle of one of the greatest seasons in San Diego State football history. He currently leads the nation with an average of 152 receiving yards per game. He is second in the country in catches per game with an average of 10 and he is 20th nationally in all-purpose yards. Tolver has 1,065 receiving yards this season on 70 catches. He has become SDSU's first 1,000-yard receiver since 1996.
Tolver, who has already earned his degree in information systems and is currently pursuing a master's degree in management, has been named as a midseason All-American by cnnsi.com. He has also been invited to participate in the Hula Bowl.
In San Diego State's 24-20 win at Wyoming, Tolver was instrumental in the Aztecs' final drive of the day. That possession covered just 54 yards, but took the final 11:22 of the fourth quarter. Tolver had a 15-yard reception on a third and 13 and a 12-yard grab on a third and eight as SDSU drained the clock to preserve the win.
Tolver's first catch at Wyoming allowed him to set the school record for catches in a career. He now has 204 at State, topping the old mark of 197 set by Will Blackwell.
Tolver and the Aztecs are back in action on Saturday with a 4:05 p.m. Homecoming date with UNLV. The Aztecs will be seeking their third straight win.