COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- San Diego State football’s Dalesean Staley (Kansas City, Mo.) has been named the Old Trapper Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. It is the first career weekly award for Staley and the first by an Aztec this season.
Staley helped the SDSU defense shut out California, 34-0, on Saturday night. It was the first shutout by San Diego State against a team from a Power conference since 1975 and the 34-point margin of victory was the largest by the Aztecs against a Power conference school in their Division I history (since 1969). Additionally, it was the first time the Bears were shut out since 2019 and the first time by an unranked team since 1994. Cal came into the game averaging 32.0 points per game with a 3-0 record and two Power conference wins.
Staley had seven tackles (all solo), forced his first career fumble, logged his first interception at SDSU and added a pass breakup. The fumble was recovered by Dwayne McDougle and returned 35 yards for a touchdown, the first of two touchdowns by the San Diego State defense on the night.
On the season, Staley has 13 tackles (10 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, an interception, forced fumble and four pass breakups. Staley ranks in tie for first in the Mountain West in forced fumbles per game (0.33, T-21st in FBS), tied for third in passes defended per game (1.67, T-5th in FBS), tied for fourth in pass breakups (4, T-19th in FBS), and tied for sixth in interceptions (1, T-47th in FBS) and interceptions per game (0.33, T-47th in FBS).
The Aztecs (2-1) wrap up their non-conference season Saturday when they travel to Northern Illinois (1-2) in Dekalb. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT (12:30 p.m. PT) with the game airing on ESPN+ and San Diego Sports 760, the flagship radio station of San Diego State athletics.
Dalesean Staley Named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week
Staley forced a fumble and intercepted a pass in SDSU’s 34-0 win over California on Saturday night.
