Dean Chosen NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior quarterback Josh Dean (Dana Point, CA/Dana Hills HS) has been named Northwest Conference Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in the Bearcats' 58-34 win at Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) on Saturday, Sept. 1. Dean tied a Willamette record with six touchdowns passes during the game.

Dean matched the WU single game record for touchdown passes set by John Horner ('94) against Lewis & Clark on Oct. 23, 1993. Horner is now in his 17th year as Willamette's linebacker coach.

Against the Cowboys, Dean completed 31 of 47 passes for 468 yards with two interceptions. He finished the evening just five yards away from WU's single game record of 473 passing yards, set by Todd Simis against Simon Fraser on Oct. 27, 1990.

Dean's touchdown passes covered 26, 63, 5, 37, 11 and 23 yards. The scoring strikes went to five different players, with Jake Turner (Sr., WR, Ontario, OR/Ontario HS) leading the way with two touchdown catches.

During the game, Dean connected with Jake Knecht (Sr., WR, Issaquah, WA/Skyline HS/Illinois State Univ.) on 9 passes for 107 yards, while Turner caught 5 passes for 135 yards and Benny Weischedel (Sr., TE, San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS) hauled in 7 passes for 96 yards. Dean completed at least one pass to nine different players.

Dean guided the Willamette offense to 727 total yards. The offensive total was just 11 yards short of the school record of 738 yards, set against Bethany College (Kan.) on Nov. 23, 1996.