Oct. 30, 2002
Western Kentucky University's Sherrod Coates was one of four players to share Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors from Don Hansen's Football Gazette, the first time in his career he has earned a national weekly award.
In fact, it marks the first time this season that a Hilltopper has been selected for national weekly accolades.
Coates, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound outside linebacker from Boynton Beach, Fla., recorded a career-best 14 tackles - eight of which came behind the line of scrimmage, including two sacks - and also forced a fumble that led to an immediate Western score in a 24-7 victory over Indiana State. The senior accounted for 34 yards in losses while three times he ended a Sycamore drive with two tackles and the forced fumble - ISU was 1-for-10 on third-down conversions on the day. His efforts led a Hilltopper unit that limited the Sycamores to 198 total yards, including just 31 in the final 30 minutes, while holding preseason all-league quarterback Julian Reese to a season-low 72 yards of total offense.
Markee Coleman of Jacksonville State, Eastern Kentucky's Chad Dewberry and Roland Harris of Wofford were the other players honored.
No. 21 Western (6-3, 4-1 Gateway) will play host to 25th-ranked Illinois State (5-3, 3-1 GFC) in its final home game of the regular season Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (CST). The contest can be seen regionally as part of the Gateway Conference television package.
- WKU -
