Brown Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week
Oct 18 | Football
SMU senior safety Raymon Brown has been named WAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Brown, a Dallas native, recorded eight total tackles (seven solo) and made two key defensive plays to propel the Mustangs to a 24-14 victory over Fresno State at the Cotton Bowl last Thursday. It was SMU's first win over a California team in the Cotton Bowl since 1948.
In the second quarter, Brown recovered a fumble that led to SMU's second touchdown and a 13-0 lead. Late in the third quarter, Fresno State trailed 21-14 and was driving for a game-tying score, but Brown hit receiver Paris Gaines at the SMU 11-yard line to force a fumble that was recovered by sophomore cornerback James Orr. The SMU defense held Fresno State to just 65 yards rushing.
Senior running back Rodnick Phillips and junior punter Colin Vadheim were also nominated by SMU as offensive and special teams players of the week.
Phillips rushed for a season-high 119 yards and scored his first touchdown of 1999 while breaking the 100-yard barrier for the first time this season. He also completed his first career pass on a halfback option pass to freshman Cody Cardwell for 57 yards.
Vadheim averaged 40.6 yards on five punts against Fresno State and helped keep the Bulldogs' offense pinned deep in its own territory with two punts inside the 20-yard line. His longest of the night went for 53 yards.
