The Sun Belt Conference announced Monday Middle Tennessee senior safety Eric Russell has been named the league's Defensive Player of the Week. It marks the second honor in Russell’s Blue Raider career and both have come this season.

Russell had a strong all-around day with six tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception in the win over FAU. Five of his stops were solo and he helped the Blue Raider defense recover five fumbles on the night, a new season best for takeaways.

Russell, who leads the team with 49 tackles, hauled in his interception three yards deep in the end zone and brought it back to the Florida Atlantic 36-yard line, a 64-yard return. He was part of a Blue Raider defense that limited FAU to 276 total offensive yards, forced six turnovers, and allowed just 14 points.

The award gives the Blue Raiders 43 player of the week honors under Rick Stockstill with nine on offense, 18 on defense, and 16 on special teams.