Oct. 31, 2011
SAN DIEGO - For the third time this season, San Diego State sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman has been named the Mountain West co-Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in last Saturday's game against Wyoming, the conference office announced Monday. This week marks the second consecutive outing that Hillman has been honored by the league and the sixth time overall in his short 20-game collegiate career.
Hillman, who shared the offensive award with Wyoming's Brett Smith, nearly single-handedly led the Aztec come back vs. the Cowboys, compiling 305 all-purpose yards and scoring three of the team's four touchdowns on the night. The 305 yards are the most by an Aztec since 2001, and also set a league single-game record for an outing featuring two Mountain West Conference schools.
Hillman set a season high on the ground with his 224 yards rushing on 25 carries, highlighted by a 99-yard effort in the third quarter. The 99-yard rush is the longest play from scrimmage (rush or reception) in San Diego State history and is also the longest rush in the nation in 2011 and all-time in the Mountain West Conference.
Saturday's performance was Hillman's sixth 100-yard rushing game this season and gives him 12 career 100-yard rushing outings in 20 contests, including 10 for over 150 yards. Hillman, who has 1,057 yards in 2011, is the first Aztec to record back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing campaigns since Marshall Faulk accomplished the feat three consecutive years from 1991-93. Faulk, Hillman and former standout Paul Hewitt (1987-88) are the only SDSU players to ever record multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons in their careers.
The La Habra, Calif., native also caught a career and team season-long 71 yard reception for a touchdown in the first quarter and ended the game with a career-high 81 yards receiving. Hillman has scored at least two touchdowns nine times, including five occasions in 2011, and has three or more scores in a single game four times.
On the year, Hillman remains the nation's leading rusher, averaging 151.0 yards per contest. He also ranks first in the Mountain West in both scoring (11.1 ppg - No. 7 nationally) and all-purpose running (175.29 ypg. - No. 8 nationally).
Hillman previously earned Mountain West honors following the team's victories over Washington State on Sept. 19 and at Air Force on Oct. 17. He is the Aztecs' lone repeat honoree this season.
SDSU concludes its two-game homestand this Saturday, Nov. 5, when the Aztecs play host to New Mexico at Qualcomm Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. PT and tickets are still available, starting at just $8. They are available through GoAztecs.com, over the phone by calling (619) 283-7378, or by visiting the Aztec Ticket Office at Qualcomm Stadium's Window "E" between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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
October 17
Ronnie Hillman - Co-Offensive
October 31
Ronnie Hillman - Co-Offensive