University of Tennessee at Chattanooga linebacker Ty Boeck was selected the Southern Conference football defensive player of the week.
The sophomore from Soddy-Daisy had a team-high 12 tackles in Saturday's 34-17 win at Mercer, two of them for loss, and forced a pair of fumbles, recovering one. It was the third consecutive week Boeck has eclipsed the 10-tackle mark.
"Ty is playing at a high level and understanding schematically what we're trying to get done," UTC coach Rusty Wright said in a school release. "He's working real hard to put himself in position to be a good football player."
The first forced fumble came with the Mocs trailing 7-0 early. Boeck hit Mercer running back Deondre Johnson in the backfield, knocking the ball out just after Johnson had taken the handoff, and pounced on it at the 7, leading to a tying touchdown.
"He made a good read on (the play)," Wright stated. "He beat a block, was in the right spot and then made a play. That's the biggest thing. The defense had a really good week of practice understanding what we were trying to do Saturday."
Boeck, who became a starter in week two, praised his teammates for making it possible for him to make tackles.
"I wouldn't have anything if those guys in front of me weren't doing their jobs," he said Saturday. "Those guys deserve the credit."
The Mocs (3-3, 2-0) are off this week and will return to action Thursday, Oct. 17, at home against East Tennessee State.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.