September 30, 2002

FURMAN'S NAPIER LEADS NCAA I-AA
IN PASSING EFFICIENCY

GREENVILLE -- Furman All-Southern Conference quarterback Billy Napier leads NCAA I-AA in passing efficiency heading into Saturday's game against Western Carolina.

Napier, a senior from Chatsworth, Ga., sports a 192.30 efficiency rating through four games, having completed 57-of-78 passes for 919 yards and six touchdowns.

In Saturday's 55-28 win over VMI, he played a little over one quarter and completed 9-of-11 passes for 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns covering 76 and 2 yards. In a 57-7 rout of Elon on Sept. 14, he completed 8-of-10 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns to establish a new Southern Conference single game passing efficiency record of 411.08 ‹ all on only 17 plays. He exited the Elon contest after one quarter with the Paladins riding a 35-0 lead.

Due in large measure to Napier¹s strong play, Furman leads the Southern Conference in scoring offense (36.8 ppg), passing offense (260.5 ypg), and total offense (480.0 ypg). Napier is the league's total offense leader, averaging 237.5 yards per game.

Winners of three straight, Furman (3-1) is ranked fifth in this week's Sports Network NCAA I-AA poll.