Guilford's Stevenson Named ODAC Defender of the Week
FOREST, Va. – Guilford College's Satiir Stevenson earned the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's (ODAC) Defensive Player of the Week Award Sunday. He also captured the Guilford Student-Athlete of the Week Award, which is presented by the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The announcement marks the second weekly honor in Stevenson's career and he joins classmate Robert Smith as Guilford winners of the ODAC Defensive Player of the Week prize this season.
Stevenson made a career-high two interception and seven tackles in Guilford's 24-10 home win over Catholic University Nov. 3. The 5-11, 195-pound free safety became the first Quaker since 2009 with two thefts in a game and has made all of his team-leading four interceptions in the last five outings. His first pick thwarted a Cardinals' drive at Guilford's five-yard line. His second came with just under two minutes left in the game and sealed the Quakers' fifth victory of the season, their most since 2007. Stevenson also contributed 78 return yards between his interceptions and two kick returns. He returned a second-quarter punt 31 yards down to Catholic's 34-yard line, which set up the Quakers' first touchdown of the game, seven seconds before halftime.
Stevenson moved into a share of first place in the league with his four interceptions this year. He also has 71 total tackles (42 solo), which stands second on the team and 11th among ODAC leaders. His eight passes defended this year ranks sixth in the conference. Stevenson is second on the team with 11 kickoff returns for a 16.5-yards per return average.
Coach Chris Rusiewicz's Quakers (5-4, 4-2 ODAC) are enjoying their finest season since 2007. Guilford has won four of its last five games entering Saturday's (11/10) season finale at league-foe Emory & Henry College.
The Student-Athlete of the Week Award is presented by Guilford's SAAC, which is comprised of representatives from each of the school's 20 varsity teams. The group meets regularly to discuss the state of Guilford Athletics and seeks to build community among Guilford's student-athletes and non-student-athletes. Recent Guilford SAAC activities include cancer awareness promotions, canned-food drives, volunteer assistance with the North Carolina Special Olympics and tutoring at local schools.
