Bruner named Gateway Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week

11/12/2006 | 12:00:00 | Football

Nov. 12, 2006

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University cornerback Brandon Bruner was named this week's Gateway Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week, the league announced Sunday.

A native of Oklahoma City, Okla., Bruner intercepted Northern Iowa quarterback and Payton Award candidate Eric Sanders two times to key an impressive defensive surge by SIU Saturday.

Bruner picked off Sanders for the first time on the Panthers' opening drive of the second quarter. The Salukis scored to take a 30-13 halftime lead following the play. His other interception came in the fourth quarter, where the Dawgs had two more picks.

Bruner also led the Dawgs with eight tackles, as his interceptions marked the first of his career.

He is the first Saluki to win the league's Defensive Player-of-the-Week award this season.