Shippensburg University graduate Mike Brewer (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge (Wesley) was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week on Monday morning by the league office.
Brewer had a memorable performance in SU football’s Senior Day victory over the Gannon Golden Knights at home. The safety picked up two interceptions, most notably a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown, and registered a career-high 15 tackles.
Brewer’s first pick helped the Raiders turn the tide of momentum just before the half. He picked off a pass over the middle and raced down the sideline for a chaotic 59-yard touchdown return to even the score at 10-10.
Brewer’s second interception helped the Raiders maintain the lead late, as his leaping grab near the endzone pylon stopped the driving Golden Knights with just 2:22 remaining on the clock.
Overall, the SU defense held the Golden Knights to just three points (Gannon’s only TD came via their defense) and picked up a season-high four turnovers. Those take-aways led to 14 of SU’s 17 points in the win.
With the help of Saturday’s performance, the SU defense wrapped the 2023 campaign as the No. 2-ranked defense in the PSAC, allowing only 287.4 yards per contest. Saturday also marked the fourth time this season the Raiders have held the opposition to 10 points or less.
It is the first conference Athlete of the Week recognition for Brewer. He is the fourth Raider to be recognized this season, and second to earn the Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week award. Chisom Ifeanyi (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) was previously tabbed Defensive Athlete of the Week following his three-sack performance against
