Bethany's Donavan Hayden Named PAC Defensive Player of the Week

Sept. 28 – GREENVILLE, Pa. – After helping lead the Bethany College football team to a 27-14 victory over Waynesburg University on Saturday, Bison linebacker Donavan Hayden (Hyattsville, Md./Northwestern) has been named the Presidents' Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

With the Bison leading 24-14 after the first half of play against the Yellow Jackets, Hayden and the Bethany defense took over the game. Behind the senior linebacker's all-around play, the Green & White held Waynesburg scoreless in the second half. Bethany forced two turnovers in the half, including a fumble recovery on special teams.

Individually, Hayden was all over the field, as he totaled 16 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss in the contest. He notched eight solo stops in the win, while also forcing a pair of fumbles and breaking up two passes.

Hayden's 16 tackles in the game marked a season high for the linebacker, as he posted 10+ stops for the third time this season. Overall, Hayden has notched at least 10 tackles in nine of his last ten games dating back to last season.

Currently, Hayden leads the PAC in tackles per game (11.8) while also leading the team in total tackles for loss (6.5). He has also forced four fumbles on the season, knocking two balls loose in back-to-back weeks.

Hayden becomes the second Bison this season to earn a PAC Player of the Week award, joining senior Eric Blinn (Beaver, Pa./Western Beaver) who earned the Offensive Player of the Week honor following a week two win over Thiel.

Hayden and the Bison will be back in action on Saturday, October 3, when they return home to take on Case Western Reserve University. The day will serve as Bethany's Homecoming with the game scheduled for a 2 p.m. kick.