WALESKA, Ga. – University of Pikeville safety Dige Savage has been named the AAC defensive player of the week.
 
Savage, a 6-1, 181-pound junior from Henderson, Nev., is the second player this season to win the defensive award. He joins defensive end Jeff Flowers in winning the award this season.
 
Savage shared the honors this week with Kentucky Christian quarterback Jackson Wasik, the offensive player of the week, and Reinhardt's Alex Hanson, winner on special teams.
 
The Bears have won one of the three categories of players of the week in football nine times this season.
 
Savage was appropriately named on Saturday in UPike's 51-42 win over Kentucky Christian University. He had six tackles, five of them being solos. He also had a tackle for loss.
 
The safety also recorded an interception and four pass breakups in the win. The four breakups was the most for a Bear in a single game this season.
 
Savage will enter the regular-season finale with 38 tackles, 30 of them solos. His total tackles is fourth on the team, while his individual total is tied for third.
 
He is also tied for third on the team with 3.5 tackles for loss totaling 11 yards. His three interceptions is the most on the team as are his eight pass breakups. He is second in the conference in interceptions this season and third in pass breakups.
 
UPike will play in Waleska on Saturday at noon when it visits Reinhardt University. The game serves as a de facto conference championship game as the winner will represent the AAC in the NAIA playoffs, which begin Nov. 22.