FROM STAFF REPORTS

BIRMINGHAM —Samford senior linebacker Darion Sutton was named the Southern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month for football when the league released its monthly awards on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Sutton, a graduate of Shelby County High School, led the Bulldogs with 26 tackles (14 solo) in November, helping the squad to a 2-1 record with a win over No. 6 Wofford. The Columbiana native had four tackles for loss, totaling 15 yards, and had one sack for five yards. Sutton also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in the month.

Perhaps his best game of the month was against FBS opponent Kentucky on Nov. 17, when he had a team-best 11 tackles (two for loss) and forced a fumble. He also recovered a fumble and returned it five yards in a win over Elon on Nov. 10.

Sutton and the Bulldogs finished the 2012 season with a record of 7-4 overall and 5-3 in Southern Conference play. The seven wins overall are the most since 2003, and the five SoCon wins are the most since joining the league in 2008.