SJSU's Benwikere is WAC Defensive Player of Week

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The defensive side of the SJSU football team must be doing something right. For the fourth time in six weeks of play, a Spartan has been named the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week. This time, it is junior defensive back Bene Benwikeres turn. Starting in just his second game of the season, Benwikere turned in a career-high and game-high 11 tackles, two for a lossalso a game-highand added an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in SJSUs 52-24 road victory over the University of Texas-San Antonio on Saturday. For him to come in and play the entire game at corner and nickel back, he did a great job, said head coach Mike MacIntyre during his weekly Monday press conference. I am very, very proud with the way Bene played and the way hes played for us on special teams and the nickel back position. Very pleased with what Bene has done for us.Benwikeres forced fumble on the UTSA 28-yard-line led to a quick Spartan touchdown Saturday afternoon. Three plays after the turnover, senior running back DeLeon Eskridge found the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run that made the score 45-17. Benwikere, who started at cornerback in place of injured Damon Ogburn Jr., returned his fumble recovery for seven yards and took his interception back 30 yards. His performance helped the defense keep a Spartan offense that scored the most points since 2008 on the field. Sophomore Tyler Ervin was nominated for WAC Special Teams Player of the week after returning his second kickoff for a touchdown this season. Saturday, Ervin ran 92 yards to the end zone on the ensuing kickoff following UTSAs first score of the game. Ervins return made the score 38-7 with 10:47 left in the first half and was a blow to the Roadrunners confidence after finally getting on the scoreboard following an early 31-0 SJSU lead. Ervins other kickoff return touchdown, of the 97-yard variety, came against San Diego State on Sept. 22.

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