FOREST, Va. – Emory & Henry College senior safety Ryan Byrd has been named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, ODAC officials announced Sunday. The Grottoes, Virginia native wins the award for the first time in his career.

Byrd led all tacklers with 13 stops in Emory & Henry's 55-7 drubbing of Ferrum College Saturday afternoon. The four-year starter had eight solo tackles and added 2.5 tackles for a loss including a sack for eight yards.

This marks the seventh time under Head Coach Curt Newsome that a Wasp has earned weekly honors from the ODAC. Last year, E&H had one offensive player and five defenders named ODAC Player of the Week.

Saturday's game saw the Wasps score the most points ever against a Ferrum team and the 48-point margin of victory was the largest in the 31 meetings between the two schools. Emory & Henry also made it nine-straight wins over the Panthers and five years in a row of scoring more than 40 points in the season opener.

Emory & Henry will have its annual bye week on Saturday, September 12. The Wasps return to the field on September 19 when they host the Scots of Maryville (Tenn.) College at Fred Selfe Stadium. The game is set for a 6:00 p.m., kickoff and will be the first home game under the lights for E&H since 1980.

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