Nov. 2, 2009
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State sophomore punter Brian Stahovich (Solana Beach, Calif.) earned his first career Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player-of-the-Week award for his performance in the Aztecs' first victory over New Mexico in nine years, the league office announced Monday.
Stahovich, who last week was named to the watch list for the 2009 Ray Guy Award, averaged 42.9 yards on seven kicks against the Lobos. His first four punts all dropped inside the opponent 20-yard line and he later added a fifth in the fourth quarter. Stahovich had one punt partially blocked, but that too ended up inside the 20-yard line, giving the team six on eight attempts on the night.
The Cathedral Catholic High graduate held New Mexico to only two punt returns for a combined minus-1 yard and did not record a touchback. Stahovich added to his season total of punts for 50 or more yards with a 59-yarder and a 50-yarder, raising his total to 13 in 2009.
The sophomore is currently tied for fifth nationally in punting average at 45.28, and the Aztecs are 10th in net punting (39.68) after ending up 100th in that category a year ago.
This is the second consecutive week that an Aztec has been honored by the Mountain West Conference, as quarterback Ryan Lindley (Alpine, Calif.) and wide receiver DeMarco Sampson (Chula Vista, Calif.) shared the offensive award. Earlier this season, junior Dey Juan Hemmings (San Bernardino, Calif.) was honored on defense following the team's win over New Mexico State.
The Aztecs continue their three-game homestand this coming Saturday, as sixth-ranked TCU comes to Qualcomm Stadium for a 1 p.m. kick-off. The contest with the Horned Frogs will be carried live on VERSUS and AM600 KOGO Tickets are still available by calling 619-283-SDSU or by visiting www.goaztecs.com.