Bevins Named NWC Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Senior linebacker Jack Bevins (Park City, UT/Park City HS) of Willamette University has been chosen Northwest Conference Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his performance in WU's 49-27 win over the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Nov. 8. Bevins led all players in the game with a career-high 18 tackles.

Bevins made nine solo tackles and also provided the Bearcats with nine assisted tackles. He forced a fumble and earned one tackle for a loss. For the season, he ranks second on WU's tackle chart with 73 total tackles. He also is second in solo tackles (32) and assists (43).

Willamette's win over Puget Sound allowed the Bearcats to clinch at least a tie for the NWC Championship. WU also clinched the NWC's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

In his career, Bevins has achieved 108 career tackles, including 94 tackles in 18 games the past two seasons. He played in all 10 games in 2007 and has contributed in 8 of 9 games this year. He missed one game due to an injury.

Bevins and 14 other Willamette seniors will compete in their final regular season game for the Bearcats on Saturday, Nov. 8, when WU hosts Menlo College. Game time at McCulloch Stadium is set for 2 p.m. (PST).

Willamette will find out its first playoff opponent and site when the NCAA Division III pairings are announced on ESPNews on Sunday, Nov. 16. The NCAA Division III Football Committee will announce the 32-team field for the 2008 championship between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Eastern time (approximately 2 p.m. Central, 1 p.m. Mountain, noon Pacific).

First round games are set for Saturday, Nov. 22 at on-campus sites throughout the country. Stagg Bowl XXXVI, the 2008 NCAA Division III National Championship game, will be held in Salem, Va., on Saturday, Dec. 20.