Football Southern Conference

Mason earns national honor

WESTMONT, Ill. - Elon University senior center Brandon Mason (Martinsville, Va./Martinsville) was declared the Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette NCAA-IAA Co-national Offensive Lineman of the Week today. He shares the honor with Morgan State left tackle Curtis Bradley.

Anchored by the 6-3, 260-pound Mason, the Phoenix offensive line paved the way Saturday for sophomore tailback John Taylor - the Southern Conference's leading rusher - who ran for 133 yards in Elon's 24-7 league triumph over The Citadel at Rhodes Stadium. The victory marked Elon's first ever in four tries against the Bulldogs.

Mason snapped all 69 plays, missed no assignments, allowed no sacks and collected nine knockdown blocks on his way to Football Gazette National Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for the second time this season and the fourth time in his career. The Phoenix offensive line rolled up 343 yards of total offense in the victory.

Mason and rest of the Phoenix (3-7 overall, 2-5 Southern Conference) will conclude the 2004 campaign when they visit Liberty (5-5 overall, 3-1 Big South Conference) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va.