Sept. 5, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford junior free safety Cortland Finnegan was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Defensive Player of the Week when the league released its weekly honors on Sunday.

In Saturday's game against Georgia Tech, Finnegan led all players in tackles with 16, including nine solo stops and one for a loss. Finnegan intercepted his third pass of the season in the game, tying his career high for interceptions in a season. Finnegan also forced a fumble in the contest.

Finnegan, who was named the 2003 OVC Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 11.0 tackles through the first two games of the 2004 season. He also has all three of the team's interceptions.

Finnegan and the Bulldogs will take on the seventh-ranked Furman Paladins on Saturday, September 11, at 6:00 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.