St. Paul, MN --- Junior Matthew Begley (E. Bridgewater, MA) has been tabbed to with D3football.com Team of the Week accolades and Division III Beyond Sports Network Athlete of the Week laurels for his standout performance in a 28-20 victory over Mass Maritime.
Begley also received a nod as the New England Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday. He was one of 23 linebacker nominations by SIDs and Coaches from around the nation to earn one of three spots D3football.com's prestigious honor roll.
This past weekend, Begley tallied a season and career-best 18 tackles (16 solo) as he also chipped in with a sack and a pair of forced miscues in their win over the Buccaneers. His third quarter interception in the red zone helped set-up the game-winning score.
Through the first six games of the season, Begley's total (34) and average tackles (8.7) are ninth in the NEFC and fifth among linebackers in the 16-team conference. His 34 solo stops and three sacks are also both tied for third among the league's line backing contingent.
Entering this week's matchup against Bridgewater State, Begley has helped anchor a defense that is seventh in New England in pass defensive efficiency (25th in NCAA – 97.07) while the unit is fifth in the NEFC in total sacks (14) and seventh in passing defense (180.7 YPG).
Worcester State (5-1, 3-0 NEFC Bogan Division) will travel to Bridgewater, MA to take on the Bears at 1 PM. The Lancers look to spoil BSU's homecoming and end a seven-game losing streak dating back to 2004.