Spartan defense wins another award

Another SJSU defensive player has been named the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Safety Cullen Newsome is the newest Spartan added to the list, which now stands at five on the season.Newsome, a senior from Roseville, Calif., recorded a season-high 10 tackles and also intercepted a pass in the Spartans 31-20 win over Texas State on Saturday.We talked about how we was going to have to make a lot of individual tackles in the option, head coach Mike MacIntyre said about Newsomes preparation for Texas States tricky option offense. He made a lot of open field tackles and read eyes very well and was able to make a pick. He played a phenomenal game and Im extremely proud of Cullen.Newsomes interception came on Texas States opening drive of the second half while SJSU trailed 20-17. The SJSU defense held the Bobcats scoreless in the second half and limited them to just 98 yards in the final two quarters. I think it was a huge part in getting momentum back and finally proving our adjustments were working, Newsome said after the win. It helped the team realize that once it gets fixed its easy to stop.Newsome joins linebacker Vince Buhagiar, cornerback Bene Benwikere and defensive end Travis Johnson as Spartans recognized with the defensive award this season. INJURY REPORT Sophomores running back Tyler Ervin (right shoulder) and linebacker Derek Muaava (right knee) were hurt in Saturdays win and did not return to the game. Ervin underwent an MRI Monday and Muaava is scheduled to have an MRI done Tuesday.MacIntyre has ruled Muaava out for this Saturdays game at Idaho.We are not sure of the extent yet, he said. Theyre going to let the swelling go down first. He just made a cut and his knee gave out.Ervin, the teams main kick returner and part-time running back, suffered his injury in the first quarter of the Texas State game after breaking a 32-yard run to set up an SJSU field goal. That play was the longest play of his from scrimmage this season.If we lose those guys theyll be big losses, MacIntyre said. Well miss them if they cant play but we have to find guys to step in and play thats part of having a good football team.