Sept. 28, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University football defensive end Joey Joshua has been named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 21-28.

Joshua, a sophomore from Ferndale (Ferndale High graduate), was credited with 14 tackles, including one for an eight-yard loss on the final play of the game as the Vikings beat NCAA Division I-AA Saint Mary's CA, 42-35 in overtime.

It was the first win of the season for Western, 1-3, which snapped a two-season, four-game losing streak and also ended a three-game home field losing string.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Joshua has 27 tackles, fourth on the team, in four games this season, along with three pass breakups and one forced fumble. Among the tackles are 4.5 tackles for losses and one quarterback sack.

Western meets cross-state rival Central Washington University (2-2) in the first Battle in Seattle on Saturday (6 p.m.) at Seahawks Stadium.