Nov. 4, 2002
Senior cornerback Leigh Bodden (Hyattsville, Md./Northwestern) was named Division I-AA National All-Star by I-AA.org, the publisher of official I-AA news in affiliation with College Sporting News (CSN), for his performance in Duquesne's 59-10 win over Iona on Saturday. Earlier today, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League named Bodden its Defensive Player of the Week.
Bodden is just the second I-AA mid-major player to be honored by I-AA.org this season. Sacred Heart defensive tackle Ordain Mitchell was named on October 7, 2002.
Bodden, a pre-season All-American, tied the Duquesne school record with three interceptions (for 80 yards) and added a 12-yard fumble return. The three picks upped his career total to 27, one shy of the NCAA I-AA record set by Holy Cross' Dave Murphy (1986-89) and tied over the weekend by Bethune Cookman's Rashean Mathis. Bodden has now intercepted five passes in his last three games.
Duquesne (9-0, 6-0), the top-ranked team in NCAA I-AA Mid-Major, can clinch its unprecedented fourth consecutive MAAC title with either a win on Saturday at Canisius (2-7, 2-5) or a Fairfield loss vs. St. John's.
Kickoff for the DU/Canisius game is set for 1:30 p.m. (Fox Sports Radio, WBGG-AM 970 locally and on the internet at www.redzonemedia.com).
