BGSU's Ward named MAC East Division defensive player of the week

Bowling Green's Ryland Ward (15) and Aaron Foster tumble over Akron wide receiver Tyrell Goodman (81) after he caught a touchdown pass in the end zone Saturday.

BOWLING GREEN -- Bowling Green State University sophomore safety Ryland Ward was named Mid-American Conference East Division defensive player of the week, the league announced today.

The Columbus native had five tackles, four of which were solo stops, in the Falcons' 24-10 victory at Akron Saturday. Ward also made a key play in the second quarter, forcing a Zips running back to fumble on a play that began at BG's 3-yard line with the Falcons already trailing 7-0. Bowling Green recovered the fumble to stop a potential score.

Ward and the rest of the BG defense limited the Zips, which entered the game leading the MAC in both points per game (38.6) and total offense per contest (492.4 yards per game) to just 10 points and 316 yards, including just 36 net yards in a scoreless second half.

Ward is the second Falcon to win the defensive honor this season. Senior defensive tackle Chris Jones won the award after BG's games against Florida and Idaho.