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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - DeMarco Sampson and Brian Stahovich (San Diego State) and Brian Blechen (Utah) are the Mountain West Conference Players of the Week for games through Oct. 30. Sampson earns Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Blechen garners the Defensive Player award and Stahovich earns Special Teams recognition. This marks the second career player of the week honor for Blechen, Sampson and Stahovich.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BRIAN BLECHEN, UTAH
Freshman, Safety, Moorpark, Calif./Moorpark HS
Brian Blechen registered a career-high nine tackles (six solo), an interception and a fumble recovery to aid Utah's 28-23 win at Air Force. In the first quarter with the score tied 7-7, the Moorpark, Calif., product picked up a fumble on Utah's 9-yard line to stop a Falcon drive. In the third quarter, with Utah leading 21-10, Blechen intercepted an Air Force pass and returned it 14 yards to the Falcon 18-yard line. The Utes would score on their offensive possession to move the lead to 28-10. Blechen also assisted on a tackle for a loss of one yard. OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DEMARCO SAMPSON, SAN DIEGO STATE
Senior, Wide Receiver, Chula Vista, Calif./Castle Park HS
DeMarco Sampson led San Diego State to a 48-38 win at Wyoming, tallying seven receptions for 175 yards and two touchdowns to help the Aztecs become bowl eligible for the first time since 1998. The Chula Vista, Calif., native's 175 receiving yards are the most by an MWC player in Conference action this season. With 6:26 remaining in the second quarter, Sampson caught a 56-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Lindley to put the Aztecs ahead, 13-10. Sampson, who has notched three consecutive 100-yard receiving outings, later added a 59-yard score to put San Diego State ahead, 48-38, with 4:56 remaining. SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BRIAN STAHOVICH, SAN DIEGO STATE
Junior, Punter, Solana Beach, Calif./Cathedral Catholic HS
Brian Stahovich recorded the longest punt in San Diego State history last Saturday, launching an 89-yard punt in the second half of the Aztecs' 48-38 victory over Wyoming. On his only punt of the afternoon, the Solana Beach, Calif., native booted an 89-yard punt out of the back of his end zone, eclipsing the previous program record of 82 yards set by SDSU's Noel Prefontaine at New Mexico on Oct. 19, 1996. Stahovich's effort is the second-longest punt in Mountain West history and the longest punt in Football Bowl Subdivision play this season.
