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 Michael Banks was named SoCon Offensive Player of the Week after his two-touchdowns versus Wofford |
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Oct. 15, 2001
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina flanker Michael Banks was named Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week (10/15) after leading the Catamounts to a 31-28 victory over Wofford. Also honored were VMI's Derik Screen (Defensive Player of the Week) and Chattanooga's Kwento Ikwuezunma (Freshman of the Week).
The junior scored two of Western's four touchdowns and registered season-highs with seven receptions and 111 yards. Banks (Spotsylvania, Va.) broke a scoreless tie midway through the first quarter when he caught a 35-yard strike from Brian Gaither for his first TD reception of the season. He later gave the Cats a 14-7 advantage with a 37-yard TD reception, marking the second time in his career that he had two scores in a game.
Banks had a slow start to the season, catching only four passes for 45 yards in his first two games combined. However, he has had at least four receptions in each of his last four games and has gone over 100 yards in each of the last two. Banks now has 14 career touchdowns to tie for ninth on the school's all-time list and only needs 52 yards and 10 receptions to pass Eagle Moss for 10th on both the WCU career receiving yards and receptions lists. (With his next TD reception, Banks will move into a tie for fifth on the school's all-time list.)
The honor is the first for Banks, who was a preseason first team All-SoCon pick by the league's coaches, and the third for a Catamount this season. Fred Boateng earned SoCon Offensive honors after rushing for 186 yards and two TDs at ETSU and Justin Fryer earned SoCon Defensive honors for getting seven tackles, a fumble recovery and a game-clinching interception versus Mars Hill.
Western will return to action next on Thursday when it plays at Chattanooga before a television audience. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., and the contest will be broadcast on Charter/Comcast Sports Southeast.
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