Sept. 11, 2005

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - Ohio senior cornerback Dion Byrum (Matthews, N.C.) has been named the National I-A Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Byrum was honored for his performance in leading the Bobcats (1-1) to a 16-10 overtime victory versus Pittsburgh on Sept. 9.

Byrum became the first player in Ohio football history to return two interceptions for a touchdown in the same game. His 38-yard interception return in the first quarter tied the game at 7-7, while his 85-yard catch and run in overtime provided the winning points. Byrum's second touchdown was the third-longest interception return in school history. He also recorded three tackles and one pass break-up.

Byrum was active on special teams with 55 yards on five punt returns and 43 yards on two kick returns. His 221 all-purpose yards in one game are the 10th-best total in the nation this season.

Byrum has scored three of the Bobcats' four touchdowns through the first two weeks of the season. He is the only player in the nation to have returned both an interception and a fumble for scores this season. His 123 interception return yards this season is tops in NCAA Division I-A.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation began giving a weekly award last season. Byrum is the first player from Ohio or the Mid-American Conference to receive the honor.

The Bobcats travel to Blacksburg, Va. to take on #7/6 Virginia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 17. The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPNU.