Sept. 7, 2009

IRVING (C-USA/SMU) - SMU senior safety Rock Dennis has been named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday, September 7.

Dennis, a senior from Leavenworth, Kan., had two interceptions, a fumble recovery and eight tackles in SMU's season-opening win over Stephen F. Austin. Dennis became the first Mustang to have two picks in a game since Bryan McCann did it against Tulsa on October 11, 2008, and the first Mustang to earn C-USA defensive honors since Adrian Haywood won the award on Oct. 2, 2006.

Dennis and the Mustangs hit the road this week to tackle C-USA rival UAB in Birmingham on Sept. 12.