Buies Creek – With two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, Campbell’s Carlos Merritt has been named honorable mention National Defensive Player of the Week by STATS FCS.
The redshirt senior safety was also named the Pioneer Football League’s Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday.
Merritt intercepted his first pass of the day and capped off a 28 point first quarter for the Camels, stepping in front of a Stetson receiver and returning the interception 37 yards for the touchdown.
He added a second interception at the 2:28 mark of the second quarter with Campbell leading 35-7, jumping the route and wrestling the ball from the Stetson receiver. Merritt also paced the Campbell defense with nine tackles, including six solo stops and an assisted tackle for loss.
CU totaled 10 tackles for loss, forcing five Stetson turnovers, including four interceptions, on the way to a 49-21 win to open PFL play.
For the season, Merritt owns 20 tackles with three interceptions, scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns. The redshirt senior adds 1.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
This is the third time in four weeks a Camel has received an honorable mention for national player of the week. Emmanuel Olenga picked up the nod in week one, and Daniel Smith notched an honorable mention in week three.
The Camels return to Barker-Lane Stadium this week, hosting Morehead State on Saturday, Sept. 30th. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
