Nov. 12, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois' Brandon Bice (McCook, Ill./Lyons Township) was named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week after a career-best performance in a 27-20 victory over Kent State on Saturday. The sophomore defensive end set career highs with eight tackles, two for loss, and 1.5 sacks on the afternoon.

Bice played all 81 plays as the Huskies ended a five-game losing streak and notched their first MAC victory of the season. On consecutive second quarter plays, Bice teamed converged with fellow defensive end Larry English on an eight-yard sack of Kent State quarterback Giorgio Morgan and then combined to stop Andrew Flowers on a six-yard loss on a 2nd-and-18 play.

In the fourth quarter, Bice again wrecked havoc on the Flashes on back-to-back plays. On a second down, Bice sacked Jon Brown for an eight yard loss before combining to stop running back Eugene Jarvis for a four-yard loss on the ensuing 3rd-and-20 play.

For the year, Bice ranks second among NIU defensive linemen with 34 tackles. He joins English as the two Huskies to claim MAC awards this season.