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Linebacker Rasheen Lemon picks up MAC weekly honor

September 8, 2014
Rasheen Lemon

Rasheen Lemon

Northern Illinois University linebacker Rasheen Lemon has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week for his performance in the Huskies’ 23-15 victory over Northwestern, the MAC office announced Monday.

Lemon, a 6-0, 206-pound junior from Chicago and Proviso West High School, made a career high nine tackles, including eight solo stops, as he ran down Northwestern ball carriers all day. He recorded two of the Huskies’ five quarterback sacks on the day for losses totaling 13 yards. Lemon’s two quarterback sacks surpassed his previous career total of 1.5.

Led by Lemon, the NIU defense shut out its opponent in the first half for the second consecutive game this season, and limited the Wildcats to just a single touchdown through the first 57 minutes of the win. The Huskies held Northwestern to zero net rushing yards in the second half and to just 72 yards in the contest.

NIU got a pair of Drew Hare to Da’Ron Brown touchdown connections in the second half, as well as a four-yard run by Hare, to earn the win over its in-state opponent and improve to 2-0 on the season. The Huskies claimed their third consecutive victory over a Big Ten Conference opponent and extended their nation-leading road winning streak to 16 straight contests.

Lemon is the first Huskie to win MAC Player of the Week honors on the young 2014 season.

A year ago, five different NIU players were honored as MAC Players of the Week 14 times. Defensive tackle Ken Bishop, now a member of the Dallas Cowboys, was the only Huskie defensive player to be named MAC Player of the Week last season.

For more information on NIU football and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.

Rasheen Lemon