FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATKINS NAMED NESCAC FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

LEWISTON, Maine - For his impressive performance in the Bates College football game this past Saturday, sophomore tailback Sean Atkins of New York, N.Y., has been named Offensive Player of the Week by the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). It is the second time in four weeks that Atkins has been awarded this honor, the first time coming in Week One when he shared the distinction with Trinity quarterback Greg Ward.

Atkins carried the ball 21 times for 148 yards, and caught two passes for 10 yards in the Bobcats heartbreaking 20-17 loss to Wesleyan. He averaged seven yards per carry and scored on a 53-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The score came five plays after Wesleyan had claimed its first lead of the game and gave Bates a 17-14 lead. It was Atkins' team-leading fourth touchdown of the season. Atkins led a late Bobcat drive, highlighted by his 17-yard run that reached the Wesleyan 28-yard line. The Bobcat rally was halted there, however, as Wesleyan's defense forced an interception in the last 30 seconds of play.

Atkins is currently second in the NESCAC and 27th in NCAA Division III football play in rushing, averaging 125 yards per game. He is also ranked 12th in the nation in all-purpose yardage (combined rushing, receiving and return yardage), picking up 179.25 yards per game.

The Bobcats (0-4) are just eight points removed from having a 3-1 record this season. This weekend the team will travel to Middlebury, Vt., in search of its first win, taking on the 3-1 Middlebury College Panthers. Middlebury is currently in a five-way tie for first place in the NESCAC.

Atkins is a 1999 graduate of Darlington School, Rome, Ga. He is the son of Keith Atkins, 17 State St., New York, N.Y.

For more information on Bates football, please visit our web site at http://www.bates.edu/sports/football.html