Week 7: Greg Penn III, LSU

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photos courtesy LSU athletics

Louisiana State University linebacker Greg Penn III, who attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club College Football Player of the Week after making nine tackles with half a sack to help the Tigers beat Ole Miss, 26-23 in overtime this past Saturday.

It has been a strong season for Penn, a senior who was LSU’s second-leading tackler last season. Two weeks ago, he made 14 tackles in a win over UCLA and he has picked up even more responsibility after standout linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury in that game.

“I can’t say enough about the defensive effort tonight,” LSU Coach Brian Kelly said after beating Ole Miss. “Sacks. Harassing the quarterback. Making the big plays when they needed to. That’s what we’ve been talking about in terms of getting better each and every week on both sides of the ball.”

Now in his third year as a starter, Penn also was recognized as a team leader before the season, with Kelly bestowing LSU’s No. 18 jersey to Penn. That jersey annually is given to an LSU player who is recognized for their leadership.

“He kept our defense together last year,” Kelly said. “We won 10 games last year and he kept our unit together through some difficult times, because he was about LSU football. He was about, when we brought a transfer in at his position, all he did was work harder. He represents all the principles of being a great teammate and a guy you can count on.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week honor roll:

  • Georgetown DC Cooper Blomstrom made four tackles with two sacks and intercepted a pass as the Hoyas beat Lafayette, 17-0.

  • Susquehanna QB Josh Ehrlich (Broadneck) completed 11 of 11 passes for 203 yards and four touchdowns as the River Hawks beat Keystone, 79-6.

  • Frostburg State QB Myles Fulton (Old Mill) completed 17 of 23 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns as the Bobcats beat Glenville State, 41-9.

  • Howard S Kenny Gallop Jr. made eight tackles with one sack and the Bison held Sacred Heart scoreless in the second half, rallying for a 21-14 win.

  • Virginia State WR Malik Hunter (Woodbridge) caught six passes for 110 yards and one touchdown as the Trojans beat Bowie State, 38-17.