November 18, 2002

FURMAN'S NAPIER NAMED SOCON
OFFENSIVE PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK

GREENVILLE -- Furman quarterback Billy Napier has been named Southern Conference Offensive Player-of-the-Week for the second time this year for his performance in the Paladins' 23-21 Southern Confernce win over Wofford on Saturday.

Napier, a senior all-conference performer, completed 14-of-17 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Terriers. The Chatsworth, Ga., product threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Isaac West in the first half and later connected with Brian Bratton on a game winning 7-yard strike with 29 seconds left to deliver to Furman its fourth straight win over Wofford.

Napier's touchdown pass to Bratton capped a brilliant 11-play, 64-yard drive that saw him complete all five of his pass attempts for 63 yards. He completed his last 10 attempts despite heavy rain and a muddy, torn up Gibbs Stadium playing surface.

Napier's performance against Wofford helped him shatter Furman's single season passing record of 2,035 yards previously held by Frankie DeBusk. He now has thrown for 2,076 yards through 10 games and is currently the second highest rated passer in NCAA I-AA.

Ranked eighth in this week's Sports Network NCAA I-AA poll, Furman continues this Saturday in its bid to secure an at-large playoff berth when it entertains Chattanooga at Paladin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.