Photo by Gregory French / Sidelines Archives
Former Middle Tennessee State safety and current Tennessee Titans starter Kevin Byard has been named the AFC defensive player of the week for his week-seven performance against the Cleveland Browns.
The Titans defeated the Browns in a defensive battle on Sunday in overtime by a final score of 12-9. The Titans improved to a 4-3 record with Byard’s help.
Byard had the reputation of being a “ball-hawk” and had a knack for creating turnovers during his time at MTSU. Byard holds the MTSU record for most interceptions in school history with 19, and has now carried that over to the NFL in his time with the Titans.
The second-year safety tallied three interceptions against Browns quarterbacks DeShone Kizer and Cody Kessler, who both played on Sunday. Byard picked off Kizer in the second and third quarters before recording his final interception of the day against Kessler in the fourth.
Byard also recorded two solo tackles and assisted on two. Byard’s four tackles and hat-trick interception propelled the Titans to victory as they head into their bye week.
Byard and the Titans will take a weekend off and return to play the Baltimore Ravens in their next game on Nov. 5 with kick-off set for noon.
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To contact Sports Editor Rusty Ellis (@RustyEllis13), email sports@mtsusidelines.com
