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 WCU junior Manny DeShauteurs was named Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week after helping the Cats defeat Chattanooga. |
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Oct. 28, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina junior running back Manny DeShauteurs was named Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week after helping the Catamounts to a 45-28 Homecoming victory over Chattanooga this past Saturday.
DeShauteurs accounted 222 all-purpose yards of offense, including a career-high 163 on the ground, and scored twice to get his first career SoCon honor. He carried the ball 23 times, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, and caught two passes for 59 yards. With the Cats holding on to slim 24-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter, Catamount quarterback Pat Cilento completed a short pass to DeShauteurs in the flat, which would turn into a 50-yard touchdown play. DeShauteurs would secure the Catamount victory after a 42-yard rushing touchdown with 35 seconds left in the game to provide the final 45-28 margin.
DeShauteurs started the season as WCU's primary back due to an injury to two-time All-SoCon performer Fred Boateng. He opened the 2002 campaign with an impressive outing at Liberty, carrying the ball 24 times for 91 yards and two TDs. DeShauteurs had only carried the ball 23 times for 46 yard in his last three games played before having his breakout performance versus the Mocs.
Western's Michale Spicer received strong consideration for the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week. The junior defensive end tied school single-game records by recording five tackles for losses and four sacks. In all, Spicer would tallied seven stops, which was the second-most of his career. Spicer joins Derek Summerour and Louis Cooper as the only three Cats to record four sacks in a game, while it marked the second time this season Spicer had registered five TFLs in a single contest (West Virginia Tech). Spicer additionally helped the Cats score what proved to be the winning touchdown as his pressure on Chattanooga quarterback Ryan McCann forced an errant pass, which WCU linebacker Rod Dunlap intercepted and returned 14 yards for a score.
Western Carolina will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 2 at VMI. The game will mark the last time the two schools will meet in Southern Conference action, as the Keydets will join the Big South Conference next season after being a SoCon member since 1924. (The SoCon was formed in 1921. Western Carolina has been a member since 1976-77.) Kickoff at Alumni Memorial Stadium is set for 1:00 pm.
