RICHMOND – University at Albany linebacker Dylan Kelly has been named the Coastal Athletic Conference (CAA) Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday morning. It is the second time this season Kelly has earned the conference's weekly honor.
 
Kelly led the team in tackles once again on Saturday, finishing with 11 in total while also adding a sack. It was his ninth double-digit tackle effort of the season. With his 11 tackles, Kelly now hold the UAlbany record for most tackles in a single season with 145. The previous record of 143 was set in 1974 by Ken Schoen.
 
Kelly played a key role in a defensive unit that held the Monmouth Hawks scoreless throughout the game, a unit that featured one of the most potent offenses in the CAA. It was UAlbany's first shutout since a 15-0 win over New Hampshire in November of 2017. The defense held the Hawks to just 176 yards of total offense, 71 yards on the ground and 105 yards through the air.
 
Kelly's defensive efforts helped bring the CAA regular season championship to UAlbany for the first time in school history. The Great Danes earned the No. 5 seed in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs as well as a first-round bye. The Great Danes will host either NC Central or CAA foe Richmond on Dec. 2 at Casey Stadium.
 
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