COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- San Diego State's Caden McDonald (Haslet, Texas) has been named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. It is the first career weekly league honor for the junior linebacker.
McDonald backed a defense that overwhelmed UNLV in a 34-6 Aztec win Saturday night in Carson, Calif. McDonald recorded career highs of eight tackles, three tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks after entering the night with 36 career tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in the first 26 games of his career. His 2.5 sacks matched the most by a SDSU player since Jay Henderson's three sacks vs. Northern Illinois on Sept. 30, 2017.
McDonald and San Diego State limited the Rebels to just six points, the program's fewest allowed in MW game since shutting out Hawai'i, 55-0, on Nov. 5, 2016. The Aztec defense also held UNLV to only one first down in 15 chances on third down, the lowest percentage (6.7 pct.) since Sept. 24, 2005 against San Jose State (0-for-17).
McDonald and SDSU travel to Utah State for a 7:30 p.m. MT Saturday game in Logan, Utah.
Caden McDonald Named MW Defensive Player of the Week
