Athletic Report
October 23, 2000

STEWART ONE OF THREE PLAYERS NAMED NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK BY DON HANSEN’S FOOTBALL GAZETTE
PORTALES, NM — James Stewart, a 6’1”, 230-pound senior defensive end at Eastern New Mexico University, was one of three players chosen National Defensive Players-of-the-Week by Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette for games played on Saturday, October 14. Stewart received the award for his efforts in ENMU’s 34-27 victory over Tarleton State University. Stewart helped the Greyhounds break a 20-20 tie in the closing minutes to improve to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the LSC South.

Stewart (Anton, TX/N.M. Military Institute) blocked a punt with 3:57 remaining in the game, giving ENMU the ball at the Tarleton State 10-yard line to set up the go-ahead touchdown. The Greyhounds scored on the next play on run by junior running back Dennis Beard (Albuquerque, NM/N.M. Military Institute). On TSU’s next possession, Stewart intercepted a pass and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown with 3:25 left. He also led the Greyhounds with 9 tackles (6 unassisted), and was credited with breaking up one pass.

Stewart scored a touchdown in each of ENMU’s games against Tarleton State in 1998, 1999, and 2000. In 1998, he recovered a fumbled punt return and took it 15 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half. ENMU led 21-7 at the half, on its way to a 42-7 win. Last year, he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown, as Eastern claimed a 27-13 victory.

Joining Stewart as a National Defensive Player-of-the-Week for NCAA Division II were Steve Hill of Mercyhurst College (Pa.) and Tim Mustapha of Hillsdale College (Mich). Hill intercepted 3 passes, broke up 4 passes and recorded 8 tackles, as Mercyhurst defeated Ferris State, 21-10. Mustapha intercepted 4 passes and earned 8 tackles in a 28-21 loss to Wayne State (Mich.). He also returned four punts for 71 yard, including a 57-yard touchdown.