IRVING — UTSA sophomore Josiah Tauaefa has been named Conference USA co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Texas State, the league office announced on Monday.
Tauaefa registered five tackles, one quarterback pressure, one pass breakup and a fumble return for a touchdown to help lead UTSA to a convincing 44-14 victory at Texas State on Saturday night. On Texas State's second offensive play of the game, the linebacker scooped up a fumble and returned it 22 yards for the first TD of the night, marking UTSA's first fumble recovery for a score since the 2013 season.
The Lake Dallas High School product helped guide a defense that held Texas State to just 198 yards of offense, the fifth consecutive opponent that has been limited to less than 300 yards and the second straight that has failed to manage even 200 yards. The Roadrunners, who rank second in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense (207.0 ypg), tied a school-record with 11 tackles for loss and also registered seven pass breakups and three QB hurries. UTSA held the Bobcats to just 45 total yards in pitching a second-half shutout.
Tauaefa shares his second career weekly C-USA award with WKU defensive back Joe Brown. The Corinth native also earned the honor on Oct. 10, 2016, after posting 12 tackles and an interception in UTSA's 55-32 win against Southern Miss.
UTSA will take this weekend off before hosting Southern Miss on Saturday, Oct. 7. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Alamodome.
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