Bruno Selected NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior outside linebacker Harmon Bruno (Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his accomplishments in the game between the Bearcats and #6-ranked Linfield College on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Bruno led all players for both teams with 13 total tackles (4 solo, 9 assists). He had 2.0 tackles for losses (4 yards lost) and forced a fumble.

The forced fumble occurred at the 4:25 mark of the third quarter with Linfield leading 17-0 and about to put the game out of reach with another touchdown. Instead, Bruno forced a fumble at the Willamette 2-yard line, which was recovered by WU's Daniel Wakam (Fr., CB, Ventura, CA/St. Bonaventure HS) in the end zone.

Three plays and 80 yards later, Willamette scored a touchdown. The Bearcats eventually got back within 17-10.

Linfield clinched a 20-10 win by adding a field goal with 3:17 left. Willamette is now 1-3 on the season, with all three losses to teams that were nationally ranked at the time they played the Bearcats.

For the season, Bruno leads Willamette's defense with 41 total tackles. He also leads the Bearcats with 4.0 tackles for losses.

The Bearcats will conclude their season-opening, five-game homestand on Saturday, Oct. 8 against Pacific University. Game time at McCulloch Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m. (PDT).