University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior defensive end Josh Beard was named the defensive player of the month for October by the Southern Conference on Thursday.

Beard had seven sacks in October and leads the nation with 10 1/2. He also had 25 tackles and a forced fumble. He was named the SoCon's defensive player of the week for Oct. 10 following his seven-tackle, two-sack performance against Samford.

The Mocs (5-3, 3-3) play at No. 8 Appalachian State (6-2, 5-0) on Saturday.

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