Sept. 4, 2007
Columbia, Mo. -
University of Missouri senior SS Pig Brown was named today as the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office. Brown was cited for his outstanding play as he helped lead Mizzou to a 40-34 season-opening victory over Illinois last Saturday.
Brown gathered three turnovers on the day, including two fumble recoveries (one of which he returned 100 yards for a touchdown that tied the NCAA record for longest fumble return), and a game-saving interception that came at the MU 1-yardline with just :51 seconds remaining in the game. In all, Brown had five tackles, including one that went for a loss.
This is the 11th time overall that a Tiger has won Big 12 Defensive POW honors, and the second straight time the winner has been a safety, after David Overstreet claimed the award for his performance in last year's win over Kansas State.
Here's a look at MU's defensive award winners...
MIZZOU BIG 12 DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Date Tiger Position Opponent
9-4-07 Pig Brown SS Illinois
10-23-06 David Overstreet SS Kansas State
9-18-06 Brian Smith DE New Mexico
9-11-06 Marcus Bacon LB Mississippi
10-10-05 Brian Smith DE Oklahoma State
9-28-02 R.J. Jones CB Troy State
11-1-99 Jeff Marriott NT Texas Tech
11-9-98 Wade Perkins CB Colorado
10-19-98 Wade Perkins CB Oklahoma
11-22-97 Barry Odom LB Tulsa
11-24-96 Joe Love LB Kansas
Tigers have won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors 11 times previously (six by Brad Smith, two each by Corby Jones and Devin West and one by Chase Daniel) and four times have won league Special Teams Player of the Week honors (two by Marcus James, one each by Adam Crossett and Brad Hammerich).
Brown and his Tiger teammates are preparing this week for their second-straight game away from home, as they will travel to Oxford, Miss. to take on the Ole Miss Rebels. Kick time for Saturday's non-televised Big 12-SEC matchup is set for 5 p.m. (central), and can be heard on the more than 50 affiliates of the Tiger Radio Network.