By: by Mike DeGeorge
KENNESAW, Ga. -- Kennesaw State senior DB
Dante Blackmon has earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors from College Sports Madness following his three-interception performance in the Owls 36-28 win at Duquesne on Saturday.
The Covington, Ga., native set a KSU single-game record with his three interceptions, and he returned one 57 yards for a touchdown as the
Owls snapped Duquesne's eight-game home winning streak and handed the reigning Northeast Conference champions just their third loss in their last 26 non-conference home games.
Blackmon's three interceptions are the most by an FCS player in a single game this season. In addition, the senior also swatted away three more passes (a career high) and had a tackle. His six total passes defended are also an FCS single-game high in 2016. He is the 10
th player in Big South history to record three or more interceptions in a single game (The Big South's single-game record is four interceptions).
Blackmon's 57-yard interception return for a touchdown marked the longest such play in school history and gave the Owls a 16-10 lead late in the first half. His first interception of the game set up a KSU field goal, his second was returned for a touchdown and his third halted a Duquesne drive that would have given the Dukes the lead in the third quarter.
The senior becomes the third Owl in school history to earn a national weekly award, joining
Taylor Henkle (STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week) and
Derrick Farrow (HERO Sports Defensive Player of the Week) in 2015.
Winners of two straight, Kennesaw State (2-1) is back in action Saturday at Furman at 3 p.m. on ESPN3.
Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it became the official home of Owls football team and is also home to Owls soccer and lacrosse.
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