SEARCY - Harding University senior cornerback Eddie Russ, Jr., was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. Russ, a native of Cottondale, Fla., had the best individual performance in what was possibly the best team defensive performance by the Bisons in several seasons.

Russ had four tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and two pass-breakups in Harding's 20-0 victory over Southern Arkansas on Saturday at First Security Stadium. It was the second time in his career that he had an interception and a fumble recovery in the same game. His fumble recovery halted an SAU drive at the Harding 31-yard line and his interception came on the Muleriders' second play from scrimmage in the second half.

The shutout for the Bisons was its first since a 13-0 victory at West Georgia in 2002, its first at home since a 42-0 blanking of Langston in 1998, and its first in a season opener since a 38-0 victory at Lane in 1992. It was also only the second time Harding shutout Southern Arkansas in 47 meetings. The other was a 12-0 result in Searcy in 1973, current head coach Ronnie Huckeba's freshman year at Harding.

Russ and the Bisons have a 12-day break before playing again on Sept. 16 at West Georgia in Carrollton. The game will air regionally on the Comcast/Charter Sport Southeast network as part of the GSC-TV package.