SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior quarterback Grant Leslie (Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Nov. 8. Leslie helped the Bearcats defeat the Loggers, 49-27, to clinch at least a tie for the NWC Championship and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
Leslie completed 7 of 13 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns in the victory over UPS. His touchdowns covered 30, 93, 65, 31 and 39 yards. He averaged an impressive 40.7 yards per completion.
The 93-yard touchdown strike from Leslie to Scott Schoettgen (So., WR, Columbia, CA/Sonora HS) in the second quarter was one yard short of the school record. The record of 94 yards was set by Todde Greenough on a pass to David Shirley versus Whitworth University on Oct. 8, 1988. Leslie's five touchdown passes also were one short of the school record, set by current WU assistant coach John Horner against Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 23, 1993.
For the season, Leslie has completed 74 of 132 passes (56.1%). His throws have resulted in 1,189 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has a passing efficiency rating of 158.69, which ranks him first in the Northwest Conference.
Leslie is one of 15 Willamette seniors who will compete in their final regular season game for the Bearcats on Saturday, Nov. 8 at McCulloch Stadium. The Bearcats will take on NWC rival Menlo College, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. (PST).
Willamette will find out its first playoff opponent and site when the NCAA Division III pairings are announced on ESPNews on Sunday, Nov. 16. The NCAA Division III Football Committee will announce the 32-team field for the 2008 championship between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Eastern time (approximately 2 p.m. Central, 1 p.m. Mountain, noon Pacific).
First round games are set for Saturday, Nov. 22 at on-campus sites throughout the country. Stagg Bowl XXXVI, the 2008 NCAA Division III National Championship game, will be held in Salem, Va., on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Willamette quarterback Grant Leslie threw for 5 TDs against Puget Sound.
