Dec. 5, 2011
San Diego State sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman (offense) and senior punter Brian Stahovich (special teams) have been named Mountain West Football Players of the Week for their performances in the team's dramatic come-from-behind victory over Fresno State, the conference office announced Monday. This is the fourth time Hillman has been honored this season, while it is the second for Stahovich.
Hillman (La Habra, Calif.) set the Mountain West Conference season record for rushing by carrying 29 times for 178 yards against Fresno State. More importantly, the sophomore accounted for four of the team's five touchdowns on the night, including the game-winner with only 1:09 remaining to help the Aztecs overcome a 21-point deficit.
Hillman now has a career-high 1,656 yards rushing on the year to surpass the previous league record of 1,601 yards set by Colorado State's Cecil Sapp in 2002. He has nine 100-yard rushing games this season and 15 overall in just 25 career outings. Hillman currently ranks third in the nation and tops in the conference in rushing yards per outing at 138.00, is 11th in all-purpose running (156.42 ypg.) and is 12th in scoring (10.0 ppg.).
During his short SDSU tenure, Hillman has compiled 3,188 rushing yards on 549 carries to go with 38 touchdowns (36 rushing, 2 receiving).
Stahovich (Solana Beach, Calif.) averaged 49.2 yards on his six punts against the Bulldogs, including three boots for over 50 yards. He had only two of his six punts returned and helped the Aztecs limit Fresno State to an average field position of their own 25-yard line, including their 15-yard line in the first half. His 49.2 per kick average was his second best on the year and his three 50-plus yarders tied his season game high.
A first-team all-conference pick a year ago, the Cathedral Catholic High grad pulled to within just 43 yards of the SDSU all-time career record for punt yardage with 10,359. He has 57 career punts of 50 or more yards and currently ranks 24th nationally in punting average at 43.37. Stahovich has helped the Aztecs rank 20th overall in net punting at 38.88.
Hillman has been named the Mountain West player of the week seven times in his 25-game career, while Stahovich has been recognized on four occasions overall.
SDSU (8-4) accepted a postseason bowl bid on Sunday to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, which will take place Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. This is the first time in the school's Division I history that it will play in bowl games in consecutive seasons.
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
November 14
Nat Berhe - Co-Defensive
December 5
Ronnie Hillman - Offensive
Brian Stahovich - Special Teams