NEW ORLEANS – Junior safety Matt Dobson, who returned an interception 100+ yards for a touchdown in the Georgia Southern win over Texas State, was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week. From Monticello, Fla., the two-year starter broke both the Georgia Southern and Sun Belt record for longest interception return with his 100-yard play, the previous records were 98 and 99 yards, respectively. Dobson, one of only three players to accomplish this feat in the FBS this season, becomes the first Eagle to be named a Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

The touchdown-saving interception in the Eagles’ endzone, and subsequent points, made the difference in Saturday’s win over the Bobcats, keeping the Eagles undefeated in the Sun Belt at 7-0 and with their seventh-straight win. Georgia Southern is tied for the league lead with 13 interceptions on the year and have the most touchdowns (2) and return yards (277) in the Sun Belt. 

The 100+-yard interception return can be viewed here: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11842593&ex_cid=espnapi_public.

For Dobson, it was his third interception of the year and second interception return for a touchdown this season. The total of two returns for TDs ties Laron Scott and Lavar Rainey for Georgia Southern’s single-season and career-mark for interception returns for scores. His first was a 26-yard return for a score against Idaho. He recorded a game-high and career-best 12 tackles with nine solo tackles in the win over Texas State. 

The Eagles travel to Navy for their final non-conference game of the 2014 season on Saturday, November 15th. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be televised by CBS Sports Network.