Written By: NMSU Athletic Dept.

DENVER, CO - Senior free safety Derrick Richardson was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Week by the conference office Monday morning for his efforts against the UTEP Miners this past weekend. Richardson helped the Aggies defeat the Miners 34-33 in El Paso for the first time since 1994.

Richardson (Chandler, Ariz.) tallied a career-high 21 tackles in the game, including 12 solo tackles. Richardson’s 21 tackles is the most by an Aggie since Jimmy Cottrell’s 25 tackles against Utah State back in 2005. He also recovered a fumble against the Miners.

His 38 tackles on the season currently leads the nation, despite playing in a game less than every other school in the country. He is the only player in the WAC to have a game with 15 or more tackles, a feat he has accomplished twice.

The Aggies will face I-25 rival New Mexico this coming Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Game time is set for 6:05 p.m.