Chad Geter Named Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Week
October 12, 2015 | Football
CHARLOTTE – Gardner-Webb linebacker Chad Geter was named Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after leading another strong effort for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Geter (Irmo, S.C. / Dutch Fork HS) was once again all over the field for Gardner-Webb, collecting a team-high 10 total tackles (seven solo stops) in the 34-20 win over No. 15 Liberty on Saturday night. He added 2.0 tackles for loss (minus-11 yards) and a critical sack as GWU posted another stiff team defensive effort.
The game marked the fourth consecutive contest that the Gardner-Webb defense had allowed only one offensive touchdown in regulation.
Geter's first-down sack on Liberty's final drive – with the Flames void of timeouts – was a major blow to any chance at a late rally. Earlier in the fourth quarter, with Liberty starting a drive at the GWU 37, Geter's four-yard tackle for loss on second down pushed the Flames behind the chains and resulted in a 43-yard field goal chance that missed wide right – preserving a 27-20 lead.
The 6-foot-2, 242-pounder had a key open field tackle on 3rd-and-11 midway through the third quarter that ended a drive and forced a 40-yard field goal try that missed.
Geter's energetic effort powered a front seven that limited Liberty to just 60 yards rushing on 20 carries for the game (3.0 yards per attempt). It marked the second time in his career that Geter has collected 10 or more stops in a win over a top-15 opponent in Spangler Stadium – matching his 10-tackle, one sack performance in a 12-10 win over No. 11 Richmond in 2013.
Through five starts, Geter ranks third in the Big South with 49 total hits and paces the league with 8.0 tackles for loss – just one shy of his previous career-best for a season. He has totaled 184 career tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss (minus-110 yards) and 5.5 sacks in his 30 career games.
He now has 19.5 tackles for loss in his last 18 starts.
Geter and the Runnin' Bulldogs face another tough road test this week, traveling to face Big South newcomer Kennesaw State on Saturday, October 17 in Georgia. The game will air live on ESPN3, with kickoff set for 1:00 pm in Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
