Waters Receives NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week Honor

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Landon Waters (Jr., CB, Martinez, CA/Alhambra HS) of Willamette University provided key plays on defense in the Bearcats' 24-21 victory over the University of La Verne on Saturday, Sept. 2. WU trailed 14-0 before rallying for the win. As a result of his efforts, Waters has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week.

Waters intercepted two passes against the Leopards and returned one pick-off for a touchdown. He returned the first interception 35 yards from the WU 3 to the WU 28 to set up an offensive possession that led to a field goal. Waters returned the second interception 30 yards for a touchdown, giving WU a 17-14 lead midway through the second quarter. During the game, he also registered two unassisted tackles and broke up one pass.

Willamette won its season opener for the second time in three years after downing the University of Puget Sound, 48-35, in 2021. The Bearcats are now 4-1 all-time against La Verne. It was WU's second consecutive win over the Leopards. The Bearcats defeated La Verne, 26-14, last season.

Up next for Willamette is a non-conference game against fellow NWC member Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PDT at Griswold Stadium on the L&C campus in Portland, Oregon. The Bearcats will host the Pioneers in a Northwest Conference game at McCulloch Stadium in Salem, Oregon, on Saturday, Nov. 11.