SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State's Jordan Byrd has been named to the 2022 Paul Hornung Award Watch List and Michael Shawcroft has been named to the 2022 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. Both announcements came Thursday morning.
Bryd is one of 52 players on the initial Hornung list and is one of three players from the Mountain West. The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
Byrd, who recently became San Diego State's second MW Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year honoree, and is a two-time all-MW selection at kick returner (first team in 2021, second team in 2020) returned 22 kickoffs for 601 yards (27.3 avg.) with a 100-yard kick return touchdown in 2021 while returning 27 punts for 193 yards (7.1 avg.). Byrd, also rushed 37 times for 246 yards (6.6 avg.) with three touchdowns and a long of 55 yards, while making 13 catches for 76 yards (5.8 avg.) with a long of 20 yards in 2021. He led the MW in total punt returns (27, 4th in FBS), combined kick return yards (794, 6th in FBS), kick return average (27.3, 15th in FBS), punt return yards (193, 18th in FBS) and punt return average (7.1, 30th in FBS), while tying for first in kick return touchdowns (1, T-13th in FBS), and ranking third in kick return yards (601, 18th in FBS) and total kick returns (22, T-24th in FBS) in 2021.
Shawcroft earned a spot on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, which is given to college football's top community servant. Shawcroft is one of eight MW representatives on the list.
Shawcroft was named an honorable-mention all-Mountain West selection by the league's coaches and media in 2021, was chosen as a preseason third-team all-Mountain West selection by Pro Football Focus in 2021, and played in 13 of the team's 14 games with seven starts. He had 55 tackles (33 solo), including 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, pass breakup, two forced fumbles and six quarterback hurries during the 2021 season. For his career, Shawcroft has appeared in 34 games and made 12 starts.
SDSU finished with a school-record 12 victories last season, one of only 10 programs with at least 12 wins. Only four teams had more victories than San Diego State (12-2), including national champion Georgia, and CFP teams Alabama and Cincinnati. The Aztecs played five teams who reached double-digit victories in 2021, securing wins over Pac-12 Champion/Rose Bowl participant Utah (10-4), UTSA (12-2) and Air Force (10-3).
SDSU, which played all 14 of its games away from its own market, including eight "home games" two hours from campus at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, finished the 2021 season ranked 25th in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. It was the third time in program history San Diego State made the final AP Top 25 poll (also 1977 (16th) and 2016 (25th)). The Aztecs were also ranked in every CFP poll in 2021.
SDSU opens Snapdragon Stadium against Arizona on Sept. 3, and also has home games against Idaho State (Sept. 10), Toledo (Sept. 24), Hawai'i (Oct. 8), UNLV (Nov. 5), San Jose State (Nov. 12) and Air Force (Nov. 26). The Aztec contest against UNLV will be SDSU's annual homecoming game.
San Diego State football season tickets are still on sale. Many options are available and a virtual 3D seat map of Snapdragon Stadium allows fans to take a tour of the seats before reserving season tickets. Members will have several benefits such as priority access to on-site parking and the flexibility to resell or donate any games they're unable to attend. For season-ticket information or to secure tickets, submit a Ticket Interest Form, call (619) 283-7378 or email seating@snapdragonstadium.com.
Aztec football single-game tickets for all seven 2022 Aztec home games for the inaugural season at Snapdragon Stadium will go on sale in August. As an exclusive member benefit, football season-ticket holders can purchase the single-game tickets on Aug. 8, while all remaining Aztec Club members can purchase on Aug. 12. Tickets for the general public will be available on Aug. 15.
Aztec football parking will soon be available on a season basis for as low as $175 (or $25 per game). Any remaining passes will be offered for single-game purchase beginning Aug. 8
Student tickets will once again be free and can be claimed on a first-come, first-serve basis the week of each home game. More information for student tickets can be found at GoAztecs.com/StudentTickets.