Nov. 3, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western cornerback John Shields has been named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Vikings' 34-20 football victory at Humboldt State University last Saturday that clinched at least a tie for the league title.

Shields, a transfer from College of the Siskiyous (Calif.) where he was a two-time all-conference pick, intercepted a pass at the Western 3-yard line in the second quarter to thwart a Lumberjack scoring drive and recovered a fumble to set up the Vikings' clinching touchdown.

Shields, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior from Spanaway (Bethel High graduate), also broke up another pass and was credited with five tackles, four unassisted.

Western (3-6, 2-0 GNAC) has a bye this week before playing host to Western Oregon University on Nov. 15 (1 p.m.) in a conference counter and the Vikings' season finale.