LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – IUP football junior defensive back Darius Bruce was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Defensive Athlete of the Week, the league announced Monday.
 
Bruce was one of several standout performers in a 39-27 road win at Clarion that pushed IUP back to a .500 record on the year at 5-5.
 
The Pittsburgh, Pa. native logged five solo tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and a blocked extra point in the victory against the Golden Eagles.
 
Bruce forced a fumble on a sack in the second quarter, adding a blocked extra point in the early stages of the fourth. Defensively, IUP limited the third-ranked rushing offense in the conference to just 80 yards and under three yards per carry.
 
IUP posted six sacks on the day against Clarion, adding 12 total tackles for loss in the victory.
 
Bruce is the second IUP defensive player this season to win the weekly accolade from the conference, joining Cole Weightman, who also had an outstanding effort last week.
 
A two-time All-PSAC honoree, Bruce has logged 146 tackles in his IUP career over 32 games. A consistent presence in the IUP secondary, Bruce has 20 pass break ups and six career interceptions.
 
IUP closes out the regular season on Saturday, November 11 at Bloomsburg.
 
PSAC Football Athletes of the Week - Week 10
West Offensive: Brayden Long, Slippery Rock
West Defensive: Darius Bruce, IUP
West Special Teams: Anthony Beitko, California
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East Offensive: Kaleb Monaco, Bloomsburg
East Defensive: Sergei Felizor, East Stroudsburg
East Special Teams: Miles Greer, Shepherd
 
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