Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011
Defensive end Brandon Coleman (Cary, Ill.) has been named Defensive Player of the Week by the Pioneer Football League for his performance yesterday in Drake's 24-14 triumph at Butler.
Coleman is the first Bulldogs player to earn a PFL Player of the Week honor this season.
The junior led a disruptive Drake defensive line unit with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles-for-loss among his five tackles (2 solo), as well as a pass breakup.
"It's exciting to play with the other guys on this defense," Coleman said. " Honestly, getting sacks, it's a personal pass rushing thing, but it's the other three guys who are rushing the passer with me who make it happen. If I didn't have them I wouldn't be half the pass rusher I am because they get so much good pressure on the quarterback."
The Drake defense held a powerful Butler offense to half its season average for points, and allowed just seven points until the final two minutes of the game.
"It's such a team effort," Coleman continued. "We have a lot of playmakers in our front seven and it's a lot of fun to play with those guys, especially when the other team has to pass the ball. That was a good team win yesterday, and now we just have to continue to get better as the season goes along."
For the season, Coleman has 6.0 sacks, No. 1 in the PFL and tied for third among NCAA Division I FCS players. The Drake defense ranks fifth in NCAA Division I FCS in tackles-for-loss (9.25/game) and sixth in sacks (3.5/game).
The Bulldogs will next face Campbell in a 1 p.m. PFL showdown on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Drake Stadium. For tickets please call (515) 271-DOGS or purchase online here.
For the full PFL Sunday Report, please click here.
