WALTHAM, Mass. – Following an impressive showing in Saturday's 15-13 win over Southern Connecticut State, Bentley University linebacker Evan Mattern (San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo HS) has been named the Defensive Player of the Week in the Northeast-10 Conference.

Mattern, a grad student who was also recognized by the Boston Herald on Monday, forced three fumbles, including two during sacks, against the Owls with his teammates recovering two of those strips. He recovered another fumble himself and was credited with a half-dozen sacks.

One of only seven NCAA football players nationwide to have at least three forced fumbles so far in 2015, the 6-2, 225-pounder is fourth on the team in tackles with 16. He leads the Falcons in both tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (3).

A May 2015 graduate who is pursuing his Masters in Marketing Analytics, Mattern switched to linebacker last year after coming in as a wide receiver. He made 42 tackles last fall and also had seven tackles for losses, a sack and an interception.

Bentley, 1-2, is back in action Saturday for a 1 pm encounter at Merrimack College.