Sept. 19, 2011
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State football players Ronnie Hillman and Larry Parker have been named Mountain West Players of the Week for their performances in this past weekend's victory over Washington State, the conference office announced Monday. This week marks the first time in Parker's career that he has been honored by the league, while this is the first honor this year for Hillman, but the fourth overall of his career.
Hillman, who shared the offensive award with Boise State's Kellen Moore, recorded 191 rushing yards on a career-high 32 carries and notched four touchdowns Saturday against Washington State. Hillman's rushing total was the best by a MW player this year and ranks as the seventh-highest total nationally through the first three weeks of the season. His four touchdowns tied his previous career game high and are tied for fifth in SDSU history. The La Habra, Calif., native recorded his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game dating back to the last season. It also marked his eighth career game of at least 150 yards rushing.
Parker, who shared the defensive award with Wyoming's Josh Biezuns, was instrumental in forcing three turnovers, including two fourth-quarter interceptions. The picks were the first of his career and came on consecutive drives in the fourth quarter with less than six minutes remaining. His first interception was on a fourth-down play with the Cougars driving at the SDSU 45-yard line. Parker ended WSU's following offensive possession by intercepting a pass at the Aztec's 48-yard line and brought it back 32 yards to set up the team's final touchdown drive.
The San Diego native is the first Aztec to log two interceptions in a single game in five years and also added five solo stops leading to a career-high seven tackles. With his seven tackles, Parker tied for a team lead for most tackles in the WSU game.
This is the second consecutive week that two Aztecs have been tabbed as MW players of the week with seniors Jerome Long (defense) and Brian Stahovich (special teams) both selected following the win at Army.
The Aztecs, who are 3-0 for the first time in 30 years, will travel to Ann Arbor this coming Saturday, to take on Michigan at 9 a.m. PT. The contest with the Wolverines will be televised on the Big Ten Network and can be heard locally on AM600 KOGO.
2011 MW Football Players of the Week (SDSU Only)
September 12
Jerome Long - Defense
Brian Stahovich - Special Teams
September 19
Ronnie Hillman - Co-Offensive
Larry Parker - Co-Defensive