Bates College

The New England Small College Athletic Conference named Bates senior captain Mark Upton its Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday, following Upton's huge day in a 12-7 loss at Tufts on Saturday.

Upton (Winthrop, Mass.) marked career-highs with 17 tackles (11 solo) and four tackles for a loss in the game, with 10 of his tackles coming after Bates assumed a 7-6 lead in the third quarter. He also recorded his second quarterback sack of the season.

Upton currently averages 14.5 tackles per game in 2016, ranking second in the conference; he is first in tackles for a loss (5.5) and is tied for fourth in the league in sacks (2).

Last week Upton was named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy for scholar-athletes. 

The two-year captain was Bates' leading tackler in 2014 and 2015 and a national leader in forced fumbles, leading to All-NESCAC First Team Defense honors both years and All-New England Divisions II/III honors last year. The politics major maintains a 3.56 cumulative grade point average.