Wayne State senior free safety Tanner Cooper was announced Tuesday morning as the D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in Saturday’s 14-12 Wildcat win over previously unbeaten and 12th-ranked Augustana.
The 6-foot, 200-pound senior from Oakley, Calif. made two impact plays that carried the Wildcats to their win over the Vikings. He had two interceptions for 111 return yards and one touchdown in a driving snowstorm.
Cooper’s first interception of the game was originally an 84-yard return for touchdown but was called back due to penalty and given credit for 47 yards that led to Wayne State’s first score of the game. His second interception midway through the second quarter was a 64-yard interception return for touchdown that gave WSC a 14-2 lead.
He also finished with one pass breakup and one tackle in the win while collecting Egg Bowl Most Valuable Player honors.
This season, Cooper is tied for the NSIC lead with three interceptions and has a league-high 157 return yards.
