October 16, 2000

FURMAN'S COOPER NAMED SOUTHERN
CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK

GREENVILLE -- Furman junior free safety Josh Cooper has been named Southern Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week for his performance in the Paladins' 33-7 win over The Citadel on Saturday.

Cooper, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and in his first season as a starter, tallied 10 tackles and tied a Furman single game record with three interceptions in headlining a Paladin defense that limited the Bulldogs to only 251 total yards.

Cooper's first interception halted a Citadel scoring threat in the second quarter. He returned his second pickoff 35 yards for a touchdown, and his third interception of the game set up the Paladins' final score of the game.

"Josh had a super game and helped key our defense to an excellent overall performance," said Furman head coach Bobby Johnson on Monday. Cooper is the fifth Furman player to garner Southern Conference Player-of-the-Week honors this year.

Now 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Southern Conference play, Furman is ranked seventh in the latest Sports Network NCAA I-AA poll heading into Saturday's game against East Tennessee State in Johnson City.