Kale Edwards Garners CUSA Defensive Player of the Week Honors

Edwards finished with four sacks in Tuesday’s double overtime victory.

Source: NMSU Athletics
NMSU Photo By Jenni Hazlett: Courtesy

Following one of the Aggies’ most dominant individual defensive performances in recent history, defensive end Kale Edwards has been named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week – the league office announced on Monday morning.

A senior from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Edwards tallied a career-high four sacks while recording a season-high seven total tackles to play an instrumental part in the Aggies 33-30 double overtime win over LA Tech on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Edwards’ sack total marked the first time that an Aggie defender finished a game with at least 3.5 sacks since Cedric Wilcots II earned 3.5 sacks against Idaho on Nov. 25, 2017.

Against the Bulldogs, Edwards was responsible for four of the Aggies’ five sacks as a team – a mark that is the most since 2018. Prior to the breakout performance, Edwards had yet to record a sack this season and had one tackle for loss.

The Montana transfer immediately made his presence felt on Tuesday as he notched two sacks in the first quarter against LA Tech. This included a fourth-down sack which set the Aggie offense up near midfield. Edwards recorded another half of a sack while also recording a tackle on special teams and a quarterback hurry.

In the second half, Edwards picked up another 1.5 sacks, including a solo sack on the Bulldogs’ final drive of regulation.

Seven games into his first year with the Aggies, Edwards ranks sixth on the team with 26 tackles while also having five tackles for loss, four sacks and four quarterback hurries. Edwards now ranks second in the conference in sacks this season.

Edwards becomes the second Aggie this season to be named CUSA Defensive Player of the Week – joining nickel Tayden Barnes who picked up the award following the opening week of action. He is also the third Aggie in program history to earn a CUSA Defensive Player of the Week Award.

For complete coverage of the NM State football program, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Football), Twitter (@NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFB).

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Levi Gwaltney

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