RICHMOND, Va. - Freshman linebacker Kyle Polk (Piscataway H.S./Piscataway, N.J.) of the Tiger football team has been named as the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week for the week ending October 30, it has been announced by CAA officials.
A first-year freshman, Polk led the Tiger defense in its performance in a 30-20 loss to Rhode Island on Saturday. Making his sixth start of the season, Polk recorded a game-high 13 tackles, including two sacks and three tackles for lost yardage. He also broke up a pass.
His 13 tackles were a career high and enabled the Tiger defense to hold URI to 74 rushing yards and 256 yards of total offense. Those were seasonal lows for Tiger opponents this season.
"Kyle is a young player with tremendous skills," said Towson Coach Rob Ambrose. "He has the potential to be very good. It's exciting to watch the improvement that he makes from week-to-week."
The only first-year freshman who starts for the Tigers, Polk is tied for sixth place on the team with 41 tackles in eight games. With 5.5 tackles for lost yardage, Polk is fourth on the team.
A two-time All-State first team selection at Piscataway High School, the 6-1, 205-pound Polk was a two-year starter for the Chiefs. As a junior, he made 71 tackles and help Piscataway reach the state championship game. In the championship game, he intercepted a pass and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown. It was his fourth interception of the season.
As a senior, he served as team captain for Coach Kevin Huggins. He made 67 tackles, including seven sacks. He also intercepted three passes and forced four fumbles.
Polk is the first Tiger football player to be named as CAA Rookie of the Week since quarterback Peter Athens earned the honor on Sept. 21, 2009 after leading the Tigers to a win over Coastal Carolina.
Polk also earned honorable mention as an NCAA FCS linebacker from the College Football Performance Awards web site this week.
Now 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the CAA, the Tigers visit sixth-ranked Delaware on Saturday, November 6 at Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium at 3:30 p.m.
