Brandon Joiner

JONESBORO - Following his performance in Arkansas State's 30-21 Sun Belt Conference victory over Louisiana-Lafayette, ASU senior defensive end Brandon Joiner has been named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week and the National Defensive Lineman Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards.

Joiner tied an Arkansas State and Sun Belt Conference record with four sacks against the Ragin' Cajuns while setting a new career high with eight tackles in the game. His eight stops were a team high and he became just the third player in ASU history and the seventh in SBC history to post four sacks in a single game. His four sacks also ties the most in the nation in a single game this season. Joiner recorded a career-high 4.5 tackles-for-loss and a quarterback hurry as well. He was part of a Red Wolves defense that forced five turnovers and limited the Ragin' Cajuns to 314 yards of total offense - 70 yards below their season average.

Joiner has now posted at least a partial sack in all but two games this season. He has 10 sacks on the year to move him into a tie for fifth-most in ASU history and 10th-most in Sun Belt Conference history.

Holding a 6-0 Sun Belt record with two league games remaining on its schedule, Arkansas State (8-2 overall) can secure at least a share of the conference championship when it returns to action Saturday at Middle Tennessee State (2-7, 1-4). The Red Wolves currently hold the nation's seventh longest winning streak at seven games, which includes three consecutive road victories. The Red Wolves are ranked 28th nationally by CBSSports.com and are 36th in the latest BCS standings.

Saturday's kickoff against the Blue Raiders is set for 2 p.m. in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and the game will be televised by ESPN3.com.

 

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