Wyman Chosen NWC Offensive and Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University sophomore Taylor Wyman (RB/P, Bellevue, WA/Issaquah HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Football Offense Student-Athlete of the Week and Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in a 45-25 win by the Bearcats against East Texas Baptist University on Saturday, Sept. 28.

He was chosen for both awards after making important contributions in several facets of the game.

On offense, Wyman carried the ball 18 times for 117 yards and scored two touchdowns on runs of 53 yards and 6 yards. His 53-yard score provided Willamette with a 14-6 lead at the 8:52 mark in the first quarter. His 6-yard touchdown was scored with 10:08 remaining in the game, extending the Bearcats' lead to 45-18.

Wyman averaged 6.5 yards per carry despite playing in wet conditions after the game started one hour and 35 minutes late due to the weather. Willamette rushed for 330 yards and four touchdowns on 62 carries during the game.

As the team's punter, Wyman averaged 38.1 yards on seven punts with a long of 49 yards. He also took six kickoffs and averaged 56.2 yards. Five of his kickoffs were caught inside the 10-yard line before being returned. In addition, he registered one assisted tackle on a Willamette kickoff.

For the season, Wyman has rushed 24 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He is WU's leading rusher and is averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He is one of three Bearcats with over 160 rushing yards.

Willamette owns a 3-0 record this fall and is averaging 47.3 points per game. WU has gained 471.0 total yards per contest.

The Bearcats are off this weekend, but will return to action on Friday, Oct. 11, when they host Whitworth University in Willamette's Northwest Conference opener. Kickoff at McCulloch Stadium is set for 7 p.m (PDT).