WSU Football: Damante Horton Named Athlon Sports National POW, Pac-12’s Defensive POW, ACU’s Cougar POW

Aug 31, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Corey Grant (20) is brought down by Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20) and Washington State Cougars cornerback Damante Horton (6) at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Cougars 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Washington State’s cornerback Damante Horton fell off the map last season.

OFF. THE. MAP.

But folks, he’s back and in a big way after a huge Monday of conference and national awards. In fact he was named the Pac-12’s Defensive Player of the Week, alongside all-everything running back De’Anthony Thomas of Oregon and kicker Jake Smith of Arizona.

On top of that, Athlon Sports has named Horton the National Defensive Player of the Week, joining Taysom Hill of BYU on the offensive side and Cal’s quarterback Jeff Goff as the Freshman of the Week. Here’s what Athlon had to say about our senior DB.

"There are 21 players in the nation with at least two interceptions through the first two weeks, and Horton is one of them. He starred on defense but was also most of Washington State’s offense, returning a Cody Kessler interception 70 yards for a huge touchdown late in the first half to tie the game. Then, with just over two minutes left in the contest, Horton snatched one of Max Wittek’s errant passes to clinch the win for Washington State. The senior from Oakland was the biggest star on both sides of the ball for Wazzu in its first win over USC since 2002"

I gotta say, it’s nice to be noticed! Nothing like a win at a ranked USC to get national attention for the program! Big bonus for recruiting nationally this week. 

Horton was also voted All Coug’d Up’s “Cougar Player of the Week”. Was there a doubt?

Go Cougs!