You just don’t see a stat line like this, unless you’re playing Madden 2005. Northeastern senior strong safety Gavin Potter has been named The Northeastern News Player of the Week after lighting up the Towson Tigers last Saturday in the Huskies Atlantic-10 opener. The two-year starter had a career-high 10 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in the 27-3 win and was named Atlantic-10 defensive player of the week.

“Without a doubt this was my best game at NU,” said Potter. “I have to credit the [defensive line], they put great pressure on the quarterback.”

The stats speak for themselves, but the timeliness of his plays is what was most impressive.

With the Tigers already holding a 3-0 lead in the first half and driving for what looked like another score, Potter not only intercepted an Andrew Goldbeck pass, but he also ran the ball 75 yards down the field setting up a Miro Kesic 22-yard field goal to tie the game.

“After I got the ball I just followed my blocks down the field,” Potter said.

After another quick NU score and with time winding down in the first half, the Tigers were driving down the field looking to tie the game, but Potter came up big again with another interception. However, this time he ran it all the way into the end zone.

The TD wouldn’t count as the Huskies were called for an illegal block on the return, but they would score on the ensuing drive, giving them a convincing 17-3 lead heading into the second half. Potter was accountable for 10 NU points in the first half and almost single-handedly put the game out of reach for the Tigers.

What many don’t know about Potter is that before NU he had a stellar career at Central Bucks West (Pennsylvania), which has one of the most dominant high school football programs in the country. On his way to becoming the school’s all time leading tackler, Potter helped CB West achieve a 44-1 record and two state titles.

— by staff writer Max Lederman