TRAFFORD, Pa. (Nov. 3) -- Thiel College senior linebacker Jake Badger (Mercer, Pa./Mercer Area) was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Defensive Player of the Week Monday evening following his dominant defensive effort in Thiel's 48-20 rout at Hiram Saturday.

Badger is the first Tomcat since Luke Faber (Greenville, Pa./Reynolds) on Nov. 4 last year to be named Defensive Player of the Week.

Badger totaled a team-best eight tackles (five solo), scored his first career touchdown and had a hand in two turnovers in Saturday's victory.

One of his tackles stopped a Hiram receiver on the 1-yard line on the final play of the first half and kept Thiel in front 21-14 at halftime. Badger's 49-yard scoop-and-score in the third quarter increased the Tomcats' lead to 28-14 and then his first interception of the season late in the third stopped a Hiram drive in Thiel territory.

Badger is second on the Tomcats with 53 tackles (26 solo). 

Thiel hosts Bethany Saturday for Senior Day at 1 p.m.