Fresno State DE David Perales sacks San Jose

For the second consecutive week, a Group of Five defensive end is Our Esquina’s Latino College Football Player of the Week. 

Fresno State’s David Perales dominated in The Battle for the Valley Trophy. He was the dominant defensive force in Fresno State’s annual matchup against San Jose State. 

Perales stymied the Spartans with a career-high four sacks. He had five tackles and a pass defended while leading the Bulldogs to a surprising 17-10 victory. The four sacks were tied for the second most in a game this year in college football.

9⃣9⃣ 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘.#GoDogs | @David99Perales | 📺FS2 pic.twitter.com/nJsGgmoI7F

— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) October 16, 2022

David Perales began his career at Merced Junior College. He then transferred to FCS Sacramento State, where he was a key starter his sophomore year in 2018.

Perales transferred to Fresno State and sat out the 2019 season. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end from Merced, Calif., is a legitimate NFL prospect.  

Plenty of help for David Perales

Perales’ other Latino teammates also contributed to the victory. Bulldogs wide receiver Jalen Cropper-Moreno grabbed six passes for 36 yards. 

Kicker Abe Montano kicked a 28-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to increase the Bulldogs’ lead to seven. He also nailed both PATs. 

After a career high in sacks in The Battle for the Valley Trophy, @FresnoStateFB's @David99Perales is the Our Esquina #Latino Player of the Week.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound DE from Merced, Calif., is a legitimate @NFL prospect you need to watch for.https://t.co/nKh1KHSiVJ pic.twitter.com/kmMrX3jyxQ

— Our Esquina (@OurEsquina) October 17, 2022

Last week’s Player of the Week, Eastern Michigan’s Jose Ramirez, had four tackles and two sacks in a 39-10 loss to Northern Illinois.  His teammate Jesus Gomez made one field goal of 46 yards and nailed his lone PAT attempt. 

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Miami kicker Andy Borregales hit two field goals and PATs in the Hurricanes’ 20-14 victory over Virginia Tech. Colorado wide receiver Daniel Arias had two catches for 58 yards in the Buffaloes’ first win of the season, a 20-13 triumph over the University of California.

Minnesota linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin made seven tackles in a 26-14 loss to the surging, 6-1 Illinois Fighting Illini. UTSA tight end Oscar Cardenas caught two passes for 19 yards in the Roadrunner’s 30-10 domination over Florida International. 

Breakout game for Gabriel Rubio

Notre Dame defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio had a career high night against Stanford. The redshirt freshman had seven tackles, and a quarterback hurry in a 16-14 loss.

Oregon State freshman running back Damien Martinez rushed 16 times for 111 yards, including a 50-yard run in the Beavers’ 24-10 win over the Washington State Cougars. 

Washington State edge rusher Ron Stone, Jr. had eight tackles and a sack, a pass defended and two quarterback hurries. Defensive tackle Christian Mejia also had three tackles in the Cougars’ loss. 

Texas punter Daniel Trejo punted thrice and averaged 35.7 yards per punt in the Longhorns’ 24-21 narrow win over Iowa State. North Carolina tight end Kamari Morales grabbed a 10-yard touchdown pass in a road victory over Duke. 

South Alabama kicker Diego Guajardo was perfect on two field goals and five PAT attempts as the Jaguars defeated the ULM Warhawks 41-34.

_{Featured art by @FresnoStateFB/Twitter}