University of Houston Athletics
Milligan Honored For Big Game Versus Rice
9/3/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2002
Hanik Milligan, senior free safety at the University of Houston, today was selected Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Cougars' 24-10 win over cross-town rival Rice in the annual Bayou Bucket clash.
An All-America, Jim Thorpe Award and Bronco Nagurski Trophy candidate in 2002, Milligan posted 15 tackles, including eight unassisted, against Rice, helping the Cougars to victory and snapping UH's 15-game losing streak in the process. Milligan also broke up two passes, and his second-quarter forced fumble on Rice fullback Robbie Beck at the Cougars' one-yard line prevented an Owl score.
The Cougar defense stifled the potent Rice triple-option attack on Saturday, limiting the Owls to just 188 yards rushing and 272 overall; numbers that are almost 100 and 130 yards, respectively less than their 2001 totals. UH also held the Owls to just 10 points, which is the lowest point total for a Cougar opponent since Houston fell to Southern Miss, 6-3, in October of 2000.
Milligan becomes the first Cougar in almost two seasons to be honored by Conference USA as player-of-the-week. Linebacker Wayne Rogers was honored on October 30, 2000, for his defensive exploits against Southern Miss.
-UHCougars.com-
