BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Samford senior linebacker Justin Shade was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness, when the organization released its weekly Division I-FCS awards on Monday.

In Saturday's 34-10 win at Appalachian State, Shade led Samford with 12 tackles, including five solo stops. He also had three sacks for a total of 35 yards in the victory.

For the season, Shade leads the Southern Conference in tackles with 75, sacks with seven and tackles for loss with 12.

The 22^nd-ranked Bulldogs are currently 5-2 overall and 3-0 in Southern Conference play. This marks the first time Samford has been 3-0 in SoCon games since joining the league in 2008.

The Bulldogs will take the next week off from competition. Samford will return to action on Oct. 26, when the team plays at Wofford. The game is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. (CT) start from Spartanburg, S.C.