Information courtesy of Adam Hussman/MLC SID

ST. PAUL — Martin Luther College’s Tom Balge was named the UMAC Football Defensive Player of the Week (9/2-9/8) after anchoring an MLC defense that gave Lawrence all they could handle in a 35-7 win this past Saturday.

The safety recorded 11 tackles to lead the Knights in that area and played a pivotal role in MLC’s defensive takeaways. The junior recovered a forced fumble caused by Andrew Esmay and brought it back 40 yards for a touchdown. Balge also picked off Lawrence quarterback Aidan Williams in the fourth quarter to prevent the Vikings from putting up another score in the fourth quarter.

Balge and the Knights will look to carry the momentum from Week 1 into their next game, where they will play Macalester in St. Paul at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Balge is a 6-foot-3 New Ulm native and junior at MLC.