HUNTINGDON SAFETY JUSTIN BROWN EARNS SPOT ON D3FOOTBALL.COM TEAM OF THE WEEK
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Senior Justin Brown helped the Huntingdon defense set the tone early in Saturday's 34-27 win over Hampden-Sydney.
Facing the nationally-ranked Tigers, Brown and the Huntingdon defense frustrated quarterback Travis Lane and the potent Hampden-Sydney offense. Brown picked off two passes, the Huntingdon defense forced five turnovers and the Hawks knocked off a Top-25 team for the first time in program history. Hampden-Sydney was ranked No. 22 in the D3football.com poll and 14th in the American Football Coaches Association poll.
Brown's performance was recognized on Tuesday when he was named to D3football.com's national Team of the Week. Brown was one of two safeties chosen to the team.
"I'm really happy for him," Huntingdon head coach Mike Turk said. "JB is a great kid and a quiet leader. He's been a solid player for us for four years and he's been a starter for a long time. He really worked hard in the offseason and he made as much improvement as any player on this defense. He made a big difference in this win."
This is the second straight week a Huntingdon player has been picked for national recognition on the Team of the Week. Quarterback Neal Posey was selected for his performance against Faulkner University.
Brown gave credit to the Huntingdon defensive front for his two interceptions and the secondary's four interceptions. This was Brown's first multiple interception game as a Hawk.
"The guys up front are what made our defense successful," Brown said. "I wouldn't have gotten my two interceptions and Keith (Anthony) and Trammell (DeJarnett) wouldn't have gotten theirs if the defensive line wasn't putting pressure on the quarterback."
Neither of Brown's interceptions led directly to points for the Hawks, but both turnovers thwarted Hampden-Sydney's offensive plans.
Brown's first interception, near midfield on Hampden-Sydney's second possession of the game, kept the Tigers from establishing an early rhythm on offense. Brown's second interception came at the Huntingdon 6-yard line and ended a Hampden-Sydney scoring threat.
Brown also deflected a Tigers' pass that was intercepted by Anthony, giving Anthony his 16th career interception and making him the Hawks' career interception leader.
"Turnovers were the difference in the game," Turk said. "We were able to get five turnovers and two of them were his. One of the turnovers was near midfield and disrupted them early in the game. The second was down deep in our territory and stopped a potential scoring drive. Both of them were big plays."