James Woodward of the Middlebury football team has been named NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in a Panther uniform.
 
HONOREE HIGHLIGHTS

• He joins Carson Eutsay as the second Middlebury defender this season to win the weekly award.
• The defensive back led the squad with eight total tackles and three solo stops in the squad's 32-2 triumph over Colby. 
• During Saturday's opening quarter, he recovered a fumble on the Mules' opening drive, setting up a Panther touchdown. 
• Woodward logged his second career interception near the midway point of the second quarter that halted a potential scoring drive.
• He swatted away a pass attempt on the right side of the field during a 2nd-and-9 snap midway through the third quarter.
• The junior ranks second on the squad in tackles (19) and third in both assists (11) and solos (eight) through three contests. 

Woodward and his teammates return to action on Saturday when they travel to Amherst for a 2:00 p.m. start.