Football Southern Conference

SoCon Names Football Players of the Week, Sept. 16, 2002

SPARTANBURG, SC - The Southern Conference today named its football players of the week for games played on Saturday, September 14. Furman quarterback Billy Napier was named the Offensive Player of the Week, defensive end Cliff Washburn of The Citadel was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Appalachian State linebacker Brad West was the Freshman of the Week.

Washburn, a 6-7, 280-pound senior defensive end from Shelby, NC, is the first student-athlete in Southern Conference history to earn Player of the Week honors in both football and basketball. The four-year starter at center in basketball earned SoCon Player of the Week honors on Dec. 12, 2000 after making 11 of 12 field goal attempts in a game against South Carolina. Washburn turned to football in the spring and has become a starter on the Bulldogs' defensive line. In The Citadel's 24-20 win over 15th-ranked Delaware on Saturday, Washburn had 11 tackles including two tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries. He helped key the defense that held Delaware to a season-low 298 yards of total offense.

Napier, a 6-3, 218-pound senior quarterback from Chatsworth, GA, set a Southern Conference record for passing efficiency in game with a 411.08 rating. Napier completed eight of 10 passes for 237 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. His four TD passes covered 78, 71, seven and 11 yards and all came in the first quarter of the Paladins' 57-7 win over Elon.

West, a 5-11, 200-pound freshman linebacker from Clemson, SC, made 10 tackles in his first career start as Appalachian State defeated 16th-ranked Eastern Kentucky. West had five solo tackles and five assists while also recording three pass deflections including a near interception in the third quarter. He helped limit the Colonels' passing game to just seven completions in 20 attempts.

Also receiving consideration on defense was Western Carolina defensive end Michale Spicer who had eight tackles and three sacks in a 47-3 win over West Virginia Tech. Offensively, other nominees included Appalachian State's Jerry Beard who rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown in the 36-28 win over Eastern Kentucky; senior tailback Nate Mahoney of The Citadel who had 128 yards rushing against Delaware despite a sprained foot; and Western Carolina receiver Lamont Seward who had five receptions for 122 yards including an 84-yard touchdown against West Virginia Tech.