Pineda is Selected NWC Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior inside linebacker Ralph Pineda (Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS/San Jose State Univ.) has been chosen Northwest Conference Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts against Linfield College on Saturday, Oct. 24. Willamette, ranked #17 a week ago in the D3Football.com Top 25, battled 6th-ranked Linfield before falling to the Wildcats, 30-27.

Pineda led all players on both teams with 14 total tackles, including 12 assists. He recorded 1.5 tackles for losses and broke up one pass. It was the fifth time in eight games that he has achieved 10 or more tackles.

For the season, Pineda has registered 70 total tackles to rank second on WU's defensive chart. Only the team's other starting inside linebacker, Andrew Ross (Sr., Petaluma, CA/Petaluma HS), has made more tackles with 76. Pineda's season stats also include 5.5 tackles for losses and 3.0 quarterback sacks. He has earned two interceptions, broken up two passes, forced three fumbles and recovered three fumbles.

Willamette is ranked #22 in this week's D3Football.com Top25 and is #22 in the AFCA Coaches Poll for NCAA Division III. The Bearcats are 6-2 on the season, including 3-1 in the NWC.

The Bearcats are off this weekend, but will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. (PST).