CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel linebacker Quinlan Washington has been named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced Monday.

Washington recorded a career-high four tackles, including 1.0 for loss with 1.0 sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble in the Bulldogs' 35-14 win over VMI. His two interceptions are tied for the most in a game in the Southern Conference this season and for the seventh-highest single-game total in FCS this year. The redshirt freshman from Gainesville, Florida, returned his first collegiate interception 72 yards for a touchdown to give The Citadel a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. He grabbed his second interception in the second quarter and in the third quarter came off the edge on a blitz to sack the quarterback and force a fumble.

The Citadel is tied for first in FCS with 17 interceptions and with four interception return touchdowns this season. The Bulldogs have broken the program's single-season record with 426 interception return yards which is the highest total in FCS by 150 yards.

Washington's award is the first of his career and the Bulldogs' SoCon-high fourth weekly defensive honor from the conference office this season. Along with Washington, junior linebacker Tevin Floyd has earned the conference's weekly honor twice and sophomore defensive back Dee Delaney has been recognized once and also was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Month in September.

The Citadel travels to Chattanooga this week to face the Mocs on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a game that will determine the Southern Conference's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. The game will be streamed on SoConDigitalNetwork.com.

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