Sept. 29, 2002

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University quarterback Josh Shimek has been named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 22-28 after directing the Vikings to a dramatic 31-28 win at NCAA I-AA Saint Mary's CA.

Shimek, a junior from Pasco, completed 15 of 20 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns as Western stayed unbeaten. After Saint Mary's had taken a four-point lead with 5:37 remaining, Shimek led the Vikings on a 74-yard, 10-play drive which consumed just 1:11 on the clock. During the drive, he ran three times for 11 yards and completed all four of his passes for 46 yards, finishing it off with a 15-yard pass to Greg Dykstra (Sr., Everson/Lynden Christian) for the winning touchdown.

In three games this season, Shimek has passed for 726 yards and nine touchdowns, completing 61 of 90 passes (67.8 percent) with just two interceptions.

Western (3-0), which has won nine of its last 10 games, hosts Western New Mexico University (2-3) in its annual Homecoming/Hall of Fame game Saturday (1 p.m.) at Bellingham's Civic Stadium.