MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama linebacker Tirrell Johnson has been named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week after his huge performance lifted the Jaguars to a 38-31 victory over Georgia State.
 
Johnson is the first Jaguar to earn player of the week honors this season and the first since Jordan Scruggs against App State a season ago.
 
Johnson recorded a career-high 10 tackles against the Panthers, four of which were solo takedowns. He saved his best plays for the final-two drives of the game where he helped the Jags come up with two crucial takeaways. With the game tied at 31-31 and just minutes remaining, Johnson forced a fumble that was recovered by the Jags to give the ball back to the offense. After the offense took the lead, Georgia State had one more possession to try and tie the game. A few plays into the drive, Johnson stepped in front of a pass and came away with an interception which allowed South to kneel out the clock and secure the victory.
 
Johnson and the rest of the Jags return home this week to take on Louisiana in the team's homecoming game on Saturday, Nov. 1. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
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