Green Named NWC Special Teams Player of the Week

By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

SALEM, ORE - - Jose Green (So., TB, Downey, CA/Warren HS) was named Northwest Conference Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week following the Bearcats' 31-23 victory over Southern Oregon University on Saturday, Sept. 20. Green returned two punts, including a 46-yarder for a touchdown that gave Willamette a 24-23 lead.

Green caught the punt near the Willamette sideline and immediately eluded a tacker. He carefully avoided the sideline in his next few steps and then went into the end zone with the help of a couple of blocks from his teammates.

Willamette took the lead on the play with 12:36 remaining in the fourth quarter, and never relinquished it. Green also returned a kickoff for 13 yards during the game.

Green currently leads the NWC in punt returns with an average of 14.5 yards per return. Jesse Clark of Whitworth ranks second with an average of 5.2 yards per return.

The Bearcats, 3-0 on the season, will travel to California this weekend to take on the University of La Verne Leopards on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. (PDT). Willamette is ranked #25 in the nation in the D3Football.com Poll.