NEW ORLEANS – University of South Alabama senior linebacker Riley Cole was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week it was announced Monday by the league office.

It's the first time that he has earned Sun Belt weekly accolades in his career.

Cole was recognized after leading all players with a career-best 15 tackles — the most recorded by a defender in the league this year — in the Jaguars' 30-20 conference victory over Texas State on Saturday, with that total including a season-high-tying 1½ behind the line of scrimmage.  Not only did he post an assisted stop for loss with the Bobcats facing fourth-and-two at the USA-37 and the score tied 17-17 late in the third quarter, he was credited with seven tackles in the final period as the Jaguars limited Texas State to just three points while pulling ahead for the victory.

Cole's efforts led a South defense that surrendered season-low totals in points, yards rushing and total yards allowed while moving to the top of the standings in the Sun Belt West Division.

He's the third member of the program to be honored by the conference this fall, with Jalen Tolbert and Nick Mobley receiving Offensive and Defensive Player-of-the-Week recognition, respectively, after South opened the season with a victory at Southern Mississippi.

Cole and the Jaguars will complete a four-game homestand Saturday when ULM comes to Hancock Whitney Stadium for a 6 p.m. (CDT) kickoff.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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