Franklin, Weaver Win LSC Awards

November 6, 2006

RICHARDSON, Texas – Southwestern Oklahoma State University on its biggest football roll in some time continues to take in weekly Lone Star Conference honors. Linebacker Greg Franklin and kick returner Patrick Weaver are the latest Bulldog recipients to earn the league’s player-of-the-week honors.

Franklin, a sophomore from Midwest City, won the defensive player-of-the-week award for the third time this season. No other LSC North player has won it more than twice this year. Franklin had 10 tackles, one sack, a blocked punt and returned an interception a school record 92 yards for a touchdown in SWOSU's 38-28 victory over East Central.

Franklin's spectacular return ended any chance of a ECU rally when his score put SWOSU ahead 38-20 with 3:43 to play. His blocked punt set up SWOSU's third score of the game giving the Bulldogs the ball at midfield. Among his 10 tackles, two were for losses totaling eight yards, including a sack of four yards. It is the fourth time this season that Franklin has had 10 or more tackles.

Franklin was awarded the defensive player-of-the-week twice before in Bulldog wins against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Northeastern State.

Weaver, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top special team’s player when he brought back the opening kickoff 98 yards for a score against East Central. Weaver, who already has returned one punt for a touchdown this year, ended the day with 111 all-purpose yards on three returns. The 98-yard return was the second longest in school history.

He leads the league averaging 15.5 yards per punt return and is fifth in kickoff returns averaging 26.1

The Bulldogs (6-4, 3-1) have an opportunity to win at least a share of the LSC North Title when they play their final game of the season Saturday at Texas A&M-Commerce. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.