Nov. 19, 2007
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - San Diego State senior Michael Hughes has been named the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his punting performance in the Aztecs' 55-23 loss at Air Force on Saturday, the league office announced on Monday.
Hughes a Moreno Valley, Calif. native, tied a 24-year-old school record by averaging 54.8 yards per punt in San Diego State 's loss at Air Force. Hughes had punts of 47, 64, 61 and 47 yards, two of which were downed inside the 20-yard line, and allowed just 41 return yards. The 54.8 yards per punt average is the fourth-most in a single game in MWC history.
Hughes collects his second player of the week award of the season and of his career. Two weeks ago in the Aztecs' 27-24 victory over Wyoming, Hughes averaged 48.1 yards on 10 punts against Wyoming, including three kicks of 50 yards or more. His final punt of the night was a season-best 75-yarder to pin the Cowboys deep in their own territory, leading to a three-and-out series that preceded SDSU's game-winning drive. Hughes' 75-yarder ranks fifth-longest in school history, making him the first Aztec punter with two kicks of 75 or more yards in his career.
Hughes becomes the fifth SDSU player to earn league player of the week honors this season and third special teams winner in the last three weeks.
San Diego State (4-6 overall; 3-3 Mountain West Conference) will be back at Qualcomm stadium this Saturday when the Aztecs play TCU. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m. PT.