Batton named MAC Defensive Player of the Week

Senior+linebacker+Luke+Batton+%2830%29+stops+Ball+States+ball+runner+during+Kents+45-43+win+over+the+Cardinals+on+September+29.+Batton+was+named+Mid-American+Conference+East+Division+Defensive+Player+of+the+Week+on+October+29..+Photo+by+Brian+Smith.

Senior linebacker Luke Batton (30) stops Ball State’s ball runner during Kent’s 45-43 win over the Cardinals on September 29. Batton was named Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week on October 29.. Photo by Brian Smith.

Tim Dorst

Kent State linebacker Luke Batton received Mid-American Conference recognition following the Flashes’ upset victory over Rutgers.

Batton was named MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week Monday for his performance in Kent State’s 35-23 weekend victory against the Scarlet Knights.

The senior recorded 13 tackles, a sack and an interception in Saturday’s win. Batton, who is one of the captains on the Flashes’ defense, leads the team in total tackles this season with 84.

Batton also currently ranks fourth in the MAC in total tackles, having compiled 10 or more tackles in six of the team’s eight games. In his last three games, Batton has a total of 43 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery return for a touchdown.

This marks the second time in his career that Batton has received defensive player of the week honors. Batton earned the award last season after recording 10 tackles, including 1 1/2 tackles for loss, in a 27-15 win over Bowling Green on Oct. 29, 2011.

Contact Tim Dorst at [email protected].