Nov. 27, 2002

SAVANNAH, Ga. - - Sophomore wide receiver Efrem Hill was named NCAA I-AA Independent Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Youngstown State announced Wednesday. It was Hill's first honor of the season. Hill joined Florida Atlantic's Willie Hughley, the Defensive Player of the Week, and Cal Poly's Navid Niakan, the Special Teams Player of the Week, in the honors.

Hill, a 6-2, 170-pound wide receiver who prepped at North Springs High School in Atlanta, Ga., had a career day at perennial power Youngstown State. He caught career-highs six passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Hill also returned two kickoffs for 89 yards. His 76-yard return set up a Samford touchdown, pulling the Bulldogs within eight points in the third quarter. He finished with 214 all-purpose yards in the season-ending loss to Youngstown State.

Hughley, a 6-0, 185-pound sophomore defensive back from Miami, Florida had five solo tackles, an interception and broke up three passes setting the university record for interceptions in a season at three. FAU defeated Florida International, 31-21, in the First Annual Don Shula Classic.

Niakan, a 6'0, 190-pound senior place kicker from Alamo, California kicked four out of five field goals including a 31- yard game winner with 16 seconds left in the game as Cal Poly defeated Weber State 28-26. Niakan had boots of 27, 33, 30 and 31 yards.

Other players earning honor roll distinction were: Cal Poly's Chris Peterson(Quarterback) and Kelly Turbin(Defensive end), Samford's Cortland Finnegan(Cornerback), and Florida Atlantic's Aaron Sanchez(Running back) and Lee Pasick(Defensive back).