Turner Named Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention"
June 14, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
The Evansville BlueCats are pleased to announce that safety Vernon Turner has received "Honorable Mention" honors as the UIF Defensive Player of the Week for Week 12. Last week in the BlueCats victory over the Fort Wayne Freedom, Vernon led all players with 8 tackles in the game. He also came up with a key interception in the 3rd quarter that set up a BlueCats touchdown that broke the game wide-open and paved the way for the BlueCats victory.
So far this season Vernon has made a total of 41 tackles. Of those tackles, 3.5 have been tackles for a loss totaling 9 yards. He's also broken up 5 passes, made 2 interceptions, and recovered 2 fumbles.
Vernon has been a dominant force in the Evansville defensive backfield since his debut with the team in mid-April. He's routinely come up with big defensive plays as he's wreaked havoc on opposing receivers. In only 7 games with the BlueCats in 2006, he's risen to second on the BlueCats tackling list behind only linebacker John Winchester.
Despite playing mainly on defense, Vernon has shown that he has play-making ability once he gets his hands on the football - he leads the team in both interception and fumble return yards. As a further demonstration of his play making ability, the BlueCats coaching staff have found other ways to get him the ball. Vernon has also seen action on kickoff return duty, where he's returned 12 kickoffs for 172 yards, including a long return of 31 yards, the second longest kick return by anyone on the team this season.
Last season, Vernon played for the Rome Renegades in Rome, Georgia. Vernon led the Renegades defense all the way to the NIFL Championship game where they finished as NIFL runners-up. He led the team in with 74 solo tackles, 91.5 total tackles, and 7 interceptions, all new team records for the Renegades. He finished 4th overall in the league in tackles and tied for 6th in interceptions.
Last season, Evansville BlueCats players received UIF Player of the Week honors 8 times. No team in the league has won more Player of the Week awards than the Evansville BlueCats.
Omaha quarterback Andy Majors was named UIF Offensive Player of the Week for Week 12. Sioux Falls defensive end Nate Fluit was named Defensive Player of the Week and Omaha's RJ Rollins was named Special Teams Player of the Week by the UIF for Week 12.
This Saturday, Turner and the rest of the Evansville BlueCats will play take on the Peoria Rough Riders at Roberts Stadium. This game is sponsored by Gus Doerner Sports. The BlueCats will be running a ticket special for Father's Day, purchase a ticket at any price level and your father gets a ticket for free! The BlueCats merchandise booth will also be running a special giving away free BlueCats bobble head dolls with any purchase of $40 or more. For tickets, please contact the Roberts Stadium box office at 476-1383 extension 25. For more information about the Evansville BlueCats, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from June 14, 2006
- UIF Transactions - UIF
- Fluit Named UIF Player of the Week - Sioux Falls Storm
- Turner Named Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Evansville BlueCats
- 2006 UIF Playoffs Begin to Take Shape - UIF
- UIF Names Week 12 Players of the Week - UIF
- Pieffer feels the "Rush" at Arena Bowl XX - Rock River Raptors
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
