Bethany’s Joyce Tabbed PAC Defensive Player of the Week

After helping the Bethany football team post season-lows in points allowed and yards allowed in a 26-13 win at Thiel Saturday, junior defensive back Jordan Joyce was selected as the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Defensive Player of the Week.

The 5-10, 180-pound safety recorded seven tackles and tied the Bethany single-game record with two interceptions in the victory. His first INT came late in the third quarter and ended a Tomcat drive at the Bison 13. With the momentum from the turnover, Bethany moved 87 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the first minute of the fourth quarter to take a 12-7 advantage.

Later in the fourth period, Joyce picked off another Tomcat aerial and a short return gave BC possession at the Thiel 43. On the next play, Bethany connected for a touchdown pass that pushed the Bison lead out to 19-7. With one more score and behind a defense that allowed just 283 yards and 13 points, Bethany went on to the win, its fourth in a row over Thiel.

For the season, Joyce is now tied for third on the team with 35 tackles and his three interceptions is not only tops on the Bethany squad but is also third in the conference.

"Jordan made some big plays for us on Saturday," said Bethany head coach Tim Weaver. "One of his interceptions ended a drive in the red zone, and the other came just after we had turned the ball over, so they were both at key times. We've needed somebody to make some plays in critical situations and Jordan did that on Saturday and it really helped our whole team."