Oct. 26, 2009
San Diego State wide receiver DeMarco Sampson (Chula Vista, Calif.) and quarterback Ryan Lindley (Alpine, Calif.) have been named the Mountain West Conference co-Offensive Players of the Week for their performances in the team's come-from-behind win at Colorado State, the league office announced Monday morning. It is the second such career honor for Lindley, while it is the first for Sampson.
On Saturday, the duo helped the Aztecs erase a 14-point deficit, as the team scored 35 points in the second half to defeat Colorado State 42-28, snapping a 10-game road losing streak and earning its first conference win of 2009.
Lindley set an MWC record for touchdown passes in a league outing with six, including five on consecutive drives in the second half. His six TDs are the most by an SDSU player in a single game since 1969, and he ended the afternoon completing 29 of his 43 passes for a career-high 459 yards and no interceptions.
Lindley's 459 yards are the most by a player in the MWC this season, rank sixth nationally and are 12th in school single-game history. It was the sophomore's second career 400-yard passing game and his fifth 300-yard effort, but first of 2009.
Sampson was on the receiving end of 15 of Lindley's completed passes, accounting for 257 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter. Sampson's 257 receiving yards set an MWC record in a league contest and the total is second-best in the nation this season. The senior's 15 receptions, meanwhile, tied for seventh in SDSU single-game history and rank sixth nationally in 2009.
Sampson's previous career highs entering the CSU contest included five catches on two occasions and 77 receiving yards. He has now combined for 20 receptions for 334 yards and five scores in San Diego State's last two games. Sampson is one of four players up for national honors via the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award.
Lindley and Sampson are the second and third Aztecs to be tabbed MWC players of the week in 2009, joining junior Dey Juan Hemmings (San Bernardino, Calif.), who garnered defensive honors following the New Mexico State contest.
The Aztecs return to Qualcomm Stadium for three consecutive home games, beginning this Saturday against New Mexico at 4:30 p.m. PT. The contest with the Lobos will be carried live on CBS College Sports and AM600 KOGO Tickets are still available by calling 619-283-SDSU or by visiting www.goaztecs.com.