Marco Nelson Named Defensive Player of the Week

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane’s freshman earned Defensive Player of the Week honors from the Walter Camp Foundation.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:02 pm

By: News On 6

Marco Nelson Named Defensive Player of the Week

Originally Published: Nov 14, 2010 5:25 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa true freshman, safety Marco Nelson, was named the Walter Camp Foundation Defensive Player of the Week, as well as the Conference USA player of the weekafter recording three interceptions in the Golden Hurricane’s 28-25 victory over Houston Saturday.

The Cougars rallied back late in the game after the Golden Hurricane built a significant 18-point lead. Nelson, a graduate from Glenpool High School, started in his ninth game for Tulsa. He racked up seven tackles in Saturday’s game and tied a single-game record at TU with his three interceptions.

The first two interceptions came in the first quarter, but it was the third interception that held off the pressuring Cougars.

Houston was within three points of tying the game with just under 5:45 on the clock. Nelson picked off a pass by the Cougars’ quarterback David Piland and returned it for seven yards. The TU offense took over at that point, running out the clock to claim the victory and hang on to a chance of winning the Conference USA West Division title.

Nelson’s honors come after a panel of national media members selected him. He and the Golden Hurricane host UTEP Saturday.