Florida's Joe Haden Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
Monday, November 16, 2009 | Football
Gator junior cornerback Joe Haden (Ft. Washington, Md.) was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the league Monday, for his performance in helping Florida to a 24-14 win over South Carolina Nov. 14. The win marked UF's 20th straight victory, was its 14th consecutive SEC win and allowed the Gators to go undefeated in the SEC for just the third time in school history.
Haden led the Florida defensive efforts, collecting 11 tackles, including 10 solo, notched one quarterback sack for a loss of 10 yards and added a career-high two forced fumbles and a pass break up in the win over the Gamecocks. Haden's interception was his third of the season, seventh of his career, and kept the Gators' streak of a pick in 21 of UF's last 22 games alive. For the seventh time this season, the UF defense held its opponent to under 100 rushing yards.
Haden now ranks second on the Florida squad in total tackles, with 55, and owns a team-high 44 solo tackles this season. After forcing three turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble in the last SEC game of the season against South Carolina, the Florida defense has now forced 11 turnovers in its last four games.
The Gators (10-0, 8-0 SEC) welcome Florida International (3-7, 3-4 Sun Belt) to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Saturday for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff.
Florida's 2009 SEC Players of the Week (as of Nov. 16)
Brandon James – Special Teams Player of the Week after Charleston Southern game (9/5/09)
Tim Tebow – Offensive Player of the Week after Troy game (9/12/09)
Maurkice Pouncey – Offensive Lineman of the Week after the Tennessee game (9/19/09)
Marcus Gilbert – Offensive Lineman of the Week after Kentucky game (9/28/09)
Brandon Spikes – Defensive Player of the Week after LSU game (10/12/09)
Caleb Sturgis – Special Teams Player of the Week after Arkansas game (10/10/09)
Caleb Sturgis – Special Teams Player of the Week after Georgia game (11/2/09)
Chas Henry – Special Teams Player of the Week after Vanderbilt game (11/9/09)
Joe Haden – Defensive Player of the Week after South Carolina game (11/16/09)
-UF-
