Nov. 24, 2008
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - San Diego State junior linebacker Luke Laolagi has been named Mountain West Conference Football Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the team's 42-21 win over UNLV, the league office announced Monday. The award is the second of Laolagi's career.
The Reseda, Calif., native registered a game-high 12 tackles, including nine solo stops, for his ninth career game with 10 or more tackles. He added a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble, an interception and a pass breakup in the upset of UNLV. With the forced fumble in the third quarter, the Aztecs scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive to take a 21-7 lead.
Laolagi also recorded his first career interception in the fourth quarter. The junior was an essential part of the Aztec defense that surrendered a season-low 33 rushing yards to UNLV. The 33 yards by the Rebels are the fewest by an Aztec opponent since 2007 (Portland State had 13 yards against SDSU on Sept. 22, 2007).
With the win, San Diego State won its final home contest in a season for the fifth time in the last six years.
Mountain West Conference Football Players of the Week (Nov. 23)
Offense: Brian Johnson (Utah)
Defense: Luke Laolagi (SDSU) and Paul Kruger (Utah)
Special Teams: Louie Sakoda (Utah)