University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior linebacker Marshall Cooper is the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced today. Cooper's efforts helped the Mocs post a 27-20 win over No. 17 Samford on Saturday at Finley Stadium.
Cooper recorded eight tackles, forced fumble and intercepted a pass to help UTC improve to 4-0 for just the sixth time in school history. Six of his tackles were solo stops, while his forced fumble came on a Chattanooga goal-line stand in the first half and resulted in a takeaway.
His interception came as Samford was trailing by two scores but driving deep in Chattanooga territory in the fourth quarter. The 41-yard return flipped the field for the Mocs.
Cooper also added a pass breakup in the game.
Cooper is currently second in the SoCon in tackles with 10.5 per game. He is also in the top 10 in the league with three passes defended.
The Mocs are tied atop to the SoCon standings with a 2-0 conference record. They travel to fellow league-leader ETSU (3-1, 2-0 SoCon) on Saturday. Game time is 7:30 p.m. (E.D.T.) in Johnson City, Tenn. Fans can catch the game on the Mocs Sports Network on 96.1 FM or ESPN+.