SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Thanks to a game high-tying 12 tackles and victory-sealing interception as time expired in Saturday’s 34-27 win at Furman, Appalachian State defensive back Corey Lynch has been named the Southern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week.

The recognition is the second of the season and fourth of his career for Lynch, a candidate for the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the NCAA Division I FCS defensive player of the year.

The senior’s latest honor came on the strength of his interception of a Furman pass on the Appalachian State 3-yard line on the last play of the game, which sealed the Mountaineers’ fifth-ever triumph at Paladin Stadium. In addition to the interception, Lynch also broke up a pass on Furman’s final possession.

Lynch’s 20th career interception, tops among all active FCS players, made him just the third player (and first in more than 40 years) in Appalachian State history with 20 career interceptions. His 12 stops give him 308 for his career, moving him within 12 of becoming just the second defensive back to rank among ASU’s all-time top 10 in career tackles.

Previously this season, Lynch was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week after amassing 11 tackles and blocking a field goal as time expired to preserve Appalachian’s 34-32 win over Michigan on Sept. 1. He also earned SoCon Defensive Player of the Month accolades for September.

Lynch and the Mountaineers (6-2, 2-2 SoCon) return to action on Saturday when they travel for a critical conference battle versus The Citadel (5-3, 3-2 SoCon). Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, S.C.

Rankings
Appalachian State moved up one spot to No. 9 in both The Sports Network’s and FCS coaches polls this week.

The Mountaineers were No. 10 last week. Wofford was No. 11 last week, but moved up to No. 10 in both polls.

North Dakota State remains No. 1 in the coaches poll and No. 2 to Northern Iowa in The Sports Network. Appalachian State is the highest ranked team from the Southern Conference.