PITMAN, N.J. – Making the most of his final career game, linebacker Casey Counts of the Salisbury University football team was named New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Defensive Player of the Week for Week 11, announced by the league office on Monday.
 
Counts, a senior from Oakton, Va., ran wild in the trenches in the Sea Gulls' 31-28 Senior Night victory over Kean last Friday. He led the team with seven tackles, including three for loss and three solo efforts, two sacks, and three quarterback hurries. Both of Counts' sacks came on the Cougars' final drive of the game, forcing them to burn their final timeout and allowing SU to run out the clock after recovering an onside kick.
 
In 10 games this season, Counts totaled 47 tackles (24 solo, 12 for loss), six sacks, four QB hurries, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, one pass breakup, and one blocked punt. Counts finished the regular season tied for the NCAA Division III lead in fumble recoveries and ranked 26th in forced fumbles.
 
Counts takes home the eighth weekly NJAC award for Sea Gull football this season, joining the ranks of Jimmy Celentano (Defensive, Sept. 5), Kollin Samaha (Special Teams, Oct. 10), Colin Wargo (Defensive Rookie, Oct. 10 and 23), Joey Bildstein (Offensive, Oct. 16), Josh Barker (Defensive, Oct. 23), and Patrick Sheil (Defensive Rookie, Nov. 6).
 
Salisbury wrapped up the 2023 season with a 6-4 record, going 4-2 in NJAC play and tying for second in the conference. The winning season is the 14th in a row for Sea Gull football dating back to 2010.
 

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Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 197 conference championships, and 45 Academic All-Americans.

To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.