NEWTON, Mass. -- Senior linebacker Kalyn Smithson (Vilseck, Germany) was a key part of Mount Ida's standout defensive effort in the Mustang's 10-6 win over Gallaudet University on Saturday afternoon. Now, Smithson's efforts are being recognized by the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC), as he was named the ECFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Smithson forced a pair of fumbles that led to all of Mount Ida's points in their defensive struggle with the Bison. In the first quarter, he knocked the ball loose deep in Gallaudet territroy and Jovan Wilkins (Poughkeepise, N.Y.) recovered, leading to a Tyler Rodgers (Bridgewater, Mass.) field goal, which gave the Mustangs a 3-0 lead.
Late in the third quarter with the Bison on the Mount Ida one-yard line, Smithson again forced a fumble, this time recovering the ball himself and racing for a 50-yard return. The ensuing possesion ended in a game-winning touchdown pass from Jawad Yatim (Shrewsbury, Mass.) to Matt Greenman (Portsmouth, R.I.).
Smithson also had eight tackles in the victory, and is now fourth on the team with 43 tackles this season.
He and the Mustangs will be back on their home turf this Saturday afternoon when they host Becker College in a 1:00 pm ECFC contest.