Traeger Chosen NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior wide receiver Derek Traeger (Mount Angel, OR/John F. Kennedy HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in the Bearcats' 50-21 win over Whitworth University on Friday, Oct. 11.

Traeger caught 11 passes for 171 yards in the game, including three first-half touchdown grabs covering 41, 31 and 29 yards. Those touchdowns helped Willamette build a 22-0 lead in just over 20 minutes.

Traeger's first touchdown reception came on the Bearcats' first possession of the game, while his second score was recorded on a 3rd-and-14 play early in the second quarter. He added his third touchdown catch on Willamette's very next possession.

On the season, Traeger leads the Bearcats in several major offensive categories: number of receptions (28), yards (417), touchdowns (5) and average yards receiving per game (104.2). His 35 points lead WU in scoring.

Willamette, ranked #22 in the nation by D3football.com and #24 by the American Football Coaches Association, owns a 4-0 record this fall, including 1-0 in NWC play. The Bearcats are averaging 48.0 points per game, and have gained 486.2 total yards per contest.

This coming weekend, Willamette will travel to Portland, Ore., for the annual Wagon Wheel Game against Lewis & Clark College. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. (PDT) on Saturday, Oct. 19.