Nakamura Named BIG EAST Player of the Week

Nov. 5, 2007

CINCINNATI-- University of Cincinnati safety Haruki Nakamura (Elyria, OH) has been named the BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the 38-33 triumph at No. 20 USF.

Nakamura forced two fumbles and registered an interception on a day in which the Bearcats equaled a school record with eight takeaways. The Bearcats' leading tackler with 61 stops, Nakamura tallied 10 tackles in the winning performance.

Through nine games, Nakamura is tied for fourth in the BIG EAST in interceptions with four. He is a main cog for a group that is listed third nationally in turnover margin (+1.7 per game) and 15th in scoring defense (17.9 points per game).

Nakamura becomes the third defensive player on the Cincinnati roster to receive the BIG EAST's Player of the Week honors this season and the seventh overall. Nakamura and UC (7-2, 2-2 BIG EAST) return home to Nippert Stadium to face No. 16 Connecticut (8-1, 4-0) in a BIG EAST Conference showdown on Saturday, Nov. 10. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU.