September 29, 1997
GREENVILLE -- Furman University quarterback Brent Rickman has been named Southern Conference Offensive Player-of-the-Week for his performance in the Paladins' 35-14 win over VMI on Saturday.
Rickman, a true freshman from Rome, Ga., completed 19-of-25 passes for a Furman freshman record 335 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start. He also added a fourth score with a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
"Brent was outstanding against VMI," said Furman head coach Bobby Johnson. "His performance was a reflection of the hard work he has put in over the last two weeks, and coach (Bobby) Lamb and coach (Tim) Sorrells really deserve a lot of credit in getting Brent ready."
Rickman 's 335-yard passing performance, which featured scoring strikes covering 24, 35, and 60 yards, marked the fifth highest single game passing total in school history, and his 19 completions were the sixth most in program history. His 319 yards in total offense also established a new school freshman standard.
Rickman's start against VMI followed a season ending knee injury to senior Chris Jonas, who was sidelined early in the Paladins' 17-6 loss to South Carolina State on Sept. 13.