Achieves Nine Tackles, Intercepts a Pass against Lewis & Clark
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Sr., Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his performance in the Bearcats' 45-7 win over Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 18. With the win, the Bearcats improved to 4-1 on the season, 2-1 in the NWC.
Nelson topped Willamette's defensive chart with nine tackles. He registered 2.0 tackles for loss, including one quarterback sack. He intercepted a pass and returned in 17 yards. He also broke up two other passes before leaving the game in the third quarter.
WU limited the Pioneers to 312 total yards, and L&C gained just 60 rushing yards on 37 carries, an average of 1.6 yards per rush. Cody Rochon, the starting quarterback for the Pioneers, was 23 of 41 passing, but threw three interceptions.
The Bearcats held Lewis & Clark scoreless for the final 52:44 of the game after allowing a touchdown with 7:16 left in the first quarter. Willamette scored 28 points in the second quarter to build a 35-7 lead. WU has outscored hits opponents 76-40 in the second quarter and 93-23 in the second half.
It was the second time this season that Nelson has been named NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week. He also received the honor after earning nine total tackles, with 3.0 tackles for loss and two pass break-ups, in Willamette's 42-24 win at California Lutheran University on Sept. 20.
Nelson leads the Bearcats this year with 54 total tackles, including team highs of 29 solo tackles and 25 assists. He ranks first on the team with 6.0 tackles for loss.
During his Willamette career, Nelson has achieved 265 total tackles and 159 unassisted tackles. He led WU with 72 tackles in 2012 after starting the last five games. He started all nine games in 2013 and led the Bearcats with 112 tackles. He has started 19 consecutive games.
Willamette will travel to Puyallup, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 25 to take on Pacific Lutheran University in a Northwest Conference game. Kickoff at Sparks Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. (PDT).
Jack Nelson led Willamette with nine tackles against Lewis & Clark. He earned 2.0 tackles for losses, including one sack, while intercepting and pass and breaking up two passes.
