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ECU's Hardy picks off weekly award
USM's Nix and Houston's Bell also honored
From ECU and C-USA dispatches
East Carolina's Kelly Hardy is this week's Conference USA Defensive Player
of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
A product of Kinston High School, Hardy tallied seven tackles, including six
solos, and had a key interception in the Pirates` 24-20 win over visiting
Tulane last Saturday night. His first-quarter pickoff and subsequent 31-yard
return set up a field goal and gave the Pirates momentum.
Hardy also had a pass breakup and a third-down stop. For the season, the
senior free safety is second on the team in tackles with 29 and is tied for
the team lead in pass breakups with three.
It marks the second time in Hardy's career that he has earned the C-USA
weekly award. He also gained the honor during his sophomore season in 2000
after a win against Duke. He is the first Pirate of the 2002 season to win a
conference player of the week award.
Running back Derrick Nix of Southern Mississippi won the league's weekly
offensive award and kicker Dustin Bell of Houston was the special teams
player of the week.
Here are thumbnails of the award winners' Saturday performances:
OFFENSIVE AWARD
DERRICK NIX, RB, Southern Miss: Nix carried 21 times for 196 yards and two
touchdowns as Southern Miss won its Conference USA opener over Memphis. The
196 yards was the third-highest total in his career and he now has 474
rushing yards in three games in 2002. Nix is the first player to win
back-to-back player of the week award since Tulane’s Patrick Ramsey in
November, 2000.
DEFENSIVE AWARD
KELLY HARDY, FS, East Carolina: Hardy recorded seven tackles (six solo) and
returned an interception 31 yards to set up a field goal in ECU’s win over
Tulane. He also had a pass breakup on third down to end a drive.
SPECIAL TEAMS AWARD
DUSTIN BELL, K, Houston: Bell connected on field goals of 44, 37 and 43
yards in Houston’s win over Louisiana-Lafayette. His 44-yarder was a
career-long and he also added three extra points on the night. Bell is
6-for-6 on field goal attempts this season.
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02/23/2007 01:21 PM |
