Nov. 12, 2007

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman sophomore Julian Hicks has been named Southern Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week for his performance in the Paladins' 24-22 road victory over 11th-ranked Georgia Southern on Saturday, the league office announced today.

Hicks, a 5-foot-9, 190-pound strong safety making his first career start, notched a team leading 11 tackles and played a key role in Furman limiting Georgia Southern's nation leading rushing attack to just 170 yards, exactly 171 yards below its season average (341.0 ypg) entering the game.

The Eagles' 360 total yards against Furman were 100 yards below their season average, and GSU quarterback Jason Foster, who only the week before had torched Wofford with 279 yards rushing and three touchdowns, ran for just 82 yards on 26 carries and no touchdowns against the Paladins.

An Atlanta native, Hicks has 36 tackles and a sack on the season.

Furman, now 5-5 and winners of two straight and three of its last four games, wraps up the 2007 campaign this Saturday with a road game against Western Carolina. Kickoff for the CSS televised game is noon.