Oct. 12, 2015
Colorado Springs, Colo.----- For his best game of the season and contributing to San Jose State University's 33-27 overtime football win at UNLV on October 10, placekicker Austin Lopez was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week.
The senior from Euless, Texas (Trinity HS) converted his three point-after-touchdown kicks and field goals of 30 and 34 yards as the Spartans (3-3, 2-1 Mountain West) overcame deficits of 10-0 in the first half and 24-20 in the fourth quarter for the eventual victory.
As important as his point scoring, five of his six kickoffs in the game were taken by UNLV as touchbacks. The week before at Auburn, San Jose State found itself in disadvantageous circumstances due to short kickoffs and long kickoff returns. At UNLV, the Rebels average starting field position for their offense following a Lopez kickoff was its 26-yard line, more than a 20-yard improvement over what happened at Auburn.
The Mountain West weekly award for Lopez is his second. Coincidentally, both awards come after a San Jose State win against UNLV. A year ago, Lopez kicked four field goals in the Spartans' 33-10 Homecoming victory.
San Jose State hosts San Diego State (3-3, 2-0 Mountain West) in the Spartans' 2015 Homecoming Game, Saturday, October 17, in Spartan Stadium. Game time is 7:30 p.m. with television coverage by ESPNU.
Prior to the game The 50 Tour: Champions of the Bay Presented by Chevron exhibit featuring the eight Super Bowl trophies won by the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders will be in Spartan Stadium's east field starting at 3:30 p.m. There is no admission charge to view the exhibit.
Tickets for the San Jose State-San Diego State football game are available by calling (408) 924-SJTX or visiting www.sjsuspartans.com/tickets.