William Joseph Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
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Nov. 26, 2001
Providence, R.I. (BIG EAST) – Pittsburgh wide receiver ANTONIO BRYANT and Syracuse quarterback R.J. ANDERSON have been named BIG EAST Offensive Players of the Week, the league announced. Panther linebacker GERALD HAYES and Miami defensive tackle WILLIAM JOSEPH earned defensive honors, while Pittsburgh’s NICK LOTZ captured Special Teams Player of the Week.
Joseph (Miami, Fla.) led a Hurricane defense that held Washington to 3.6 yards per play in Miami’s 65-7 victory at the Orange Bowl. The junior defensive tackle had two quarterback sacks (24 yards) and forced two fumbles. He also finished with four tackles (three solo). Joseph leads the ‘Canes with nine sacks and 18 tackles for loss.
Bryant (Miami, Fla.) had a BIG EAST season-high 186 receiving yards in Pittsburgh’s 23-17 win at West Virginia. The junior wideout recorded 11 receptions and one touchdown, averaging 16.9 yards against the nation’s No. 1 ranked pass defense. The yardage total was a Mountaineer Field record, as Bryant set a BIG EAST career mark with his 12th 100-yard receiving game.
Anderson (Plainville, Conn.) accounted for 305 total yards in Syracuse’s 39-28 victory over Boston College. The sophomore quarterback completed 15-of-20 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown. He also ran 11 times for 58 yards with one rushing score. He did not commit a turnover, improving his record to 10-2 as a starter.
Hayes (Paterson, N.J.) had a team-high 10 tackles (five solo) in the Panthers’ win over West Virginia. The junior linebacker added three tackles for losses of 18 yards, including 1.5 quarterback sacks for seven yards. He led a Pittsburgh defense that limited the Mountaineers to 172 total yards (2.9 per play).
Lotz (Findlay, Ohio) posted the deciding final six points in the victory over WVU. The senior placekicker converted three field goals (21, 23 and 19 yards), including two in the fourth quarter to break a 17-17 tie. He accounted for 11 points overall, moving into fifth place all-time at Pittsburgh with 198 in his career. It is Lotz’s second weekly award this season.
