Rice earns MW Defensive Player of the Week honors

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Fresno State redshirt junior linebacker Justin Rice was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. This is the first career weekly conference honor for the Modesto, Calif. native, and the first for the Bulldogs this season.

Rice led the 'Dogs with 10 tackles in last Friday's home win versus UNLV, posting his fifth double-digit tackle performance of the six games this season. His five double-digit tackle games are the most by a Bulldog since Stratton Brown did so in 2016.

In addition to his 10 tackles, Rice also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown against the Rebels. His fumble recovery for a touchdown was arguably the turning point in the game as it sparked a 20-0 scoring run for the Bulldogs in the third quarter. Fresno State ran away with a 56-27 win against UNLV.

Rice was the first Bulldog to recover a fumble and return it for a touchdown since Ejiro Ederaine did so against San Diego State on Oct. 26, 2013.

As a unit, the Fresno State defense forced five turnovers - the most in a single game since its 2018 season opener.

Rice currently sits second in the conference rankings with 60 total tackles this season, averaging 10 a game. He is tied for first in the Mountain West in forced fumbles (4) and leads the league in fumbles recovered (2). Rice is averaging 11.5 tackles per game in conference play this season.

The veteran Bulldog leads the team with his 60 tackles. He has also added a sack, two interceptions, seven broken up passes, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2019. Rice is tied for 12th in the FBS in tackles per game and is tied for second in turnovers forced through six games this season.

Rice is the only player in the nation to have four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions this season.

Rice lands the first MW Player of the Week honor for the Bulldogs since Marcus McMaryion and Mykal Walker earned the Offensive and Defensive honors on Oct. 1, 2018, respectively. He is the first Bulldog linebacker to earn the honor since George Helmuth in 2017.

The Bulldogs return to action this Saturday hosting Colorado State for Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT and the game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.

Fresno State Mountain West Defensive Players of the Week
Sept. 17, 2012 - Phillip Thomas
Oct. 1, 2012 - Andy Jennings
Oct. 8, 2012 - Phillip Thomas
Nov. 12, 2012 - Travis Brown
Oct. 28, 2013 - Ejiro Ederaine
Nov. 10, 2014 - Kyrie Wilson
Oct. 9, 2017 - Juju Hughes
Oct. 23, 2017 - Jeff Allison
Nov. 6, 2017 - Jeff Allison
Nov. 20, 2017 - George Helmuth
Oct. 1, 2018 - Mykal Walker
Oct. 20, 2019 - Justin Rice

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Fresno State Athletics

Rice earns MW Defensive Player of the Week honors

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Players Mentioned

Jeff Allison

Ejiro Ederaine

George Helmuth

Juju Hughes

Marcus McMaryion

Justin Rice

Mykal Walker

Mykal Walker

Kyrie Wilson

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