Sept. 13, 2005

DALLAS, Texas - Senior cornerback Dion Byrum (Matthews, N.C.) was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 13. It is the third national award Byrum has received for his efforts in helping the Bobcats defeat Pittsburgh, 16-10 in overtime, on Sept. 9.

Byrum returned two interceptions for touchdowns, including an 85-yarder in overtime that sealed the victory. He had a 38-yard return in the first quarter that tied the game at 7-7. He is the first player in Ohio history to return two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. Byrum also broke up another pass and had three solo tackles in the win.

Byrum added 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 also been added to the Watch List for the 2005 Bronko Nagurski Trophy which is presented to the nation's top defensive player. The award is presented by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

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.

In addition to the Nagurski weekly award, Byrum was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation I-A National Defensive Player of the Week and the College Sports Report I-A Performer of the Week.

The Bobcats travel to Blacksburg, Va. to take on #4/4 Virginia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 17. The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPNU.