Manion is Selected NWC Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Junior outside linebacker Brendan Manion (Los Altos, CA/Archbishop Mitty HS) from Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week following an outstanding performance in the Bearcats' 45-25 victory at East Texas Baptist University on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Manion registered 14 tackles, including nine solo stops, as Willamette improved to 3-0 on the season and dropped East Texas Baptist to 2-1. He provided several big plays, including a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter that gave the Bearcats a 24-6 halftime lead. He achieved 2.5 tackles for losses, including one quarterback sack.

In addition, Manion forced two fumbles by the Tigers that were recovered by the Bearcats. One fumble was at the WU 12-yard line and was recovered by inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Jr., Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) at the 3-yard line. The other fumble was at the WU 2 and was recovered by defensive end Wyatt Briggs (Sr., Scio, OR/Scio HS) at the 1-yard line.

Led by Manion and Nelson -- who also earned 14 tackles -- the Willamette defense forced ETBU to go 0 for 5 in the red zone and. The Bearcats limited the Tigers to 3.6 yards per running play.

For the season, Manion is ranked second on the team with 22 solo tackles, 12 assists and 34 total tackles. He leads the team with 6.5 tackles for losses, causing opponents to lose a total of 28 yards. His two forced fumbles also rank first on the team.

Willamette does not play this weekend, but the Bearcats will return to action at McCulloch Stadium against Whitworth University on Friday, Oct. 11. It will be Willamette's first Northwest Conference game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT).