Nov. 19, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - For the second time in as many games, the Western Kentucky University football team claimed the Gateway Conference Offensive Lineman-of-the-Week award when the league office announced Buster Ashley was selected this week's recipient Tuesday.
He joins teammate Chris Price as the only players in the league to earn the honor more than once, while he became the third Hilltopper this week to be recognized by the conference - Jon Frazier and Antonio Veals were chosen the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week Sunday.
Ashley - a 6-foot-4, 290-pound Owensboro, Ky., resident - posted a 97 percent overall grade in the Toppers' victory over Southern Illinois Saturday that clinched a share of the Gateway Conference championship, helping Western's offensive attack rack up season highs in Gateway play of 390 rushing yards, 478 total yards and 48 points. The sophomore had a 100 percent assignment grade and a factor grade of 97 percent, was not whistled for a penalty and posted a WKU season-best 21 knockdowns with 17 pancake blocks and four decleaters.
A preseason all-league selection, Ashley has an overall grade of 90 percent with 108 pancakes and a team-high 44 decleaters. He was first named the GFC Offensive Lineman of the Week following the Hilltoppers' 31-7 league victory at Southwest Missouri State Oct. 19.
No. 12 Western (8-3, 6-1 Gateway) will await the announcement of the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA playoff field, which will be revealed on Sunday, Nov. 24, at noon (CST) on ESPN News.
- WKU -
