BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University senior linebacker Steven Silvia has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Football Defensive Player of the Week.

Silvia captured the Lee Harrington Award as the Most Valuable Player of the 43rd Annual Cranberry Bowl. The Dighton, Massachusetts native notched nine tackles with seven solo stops, a sack, three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery as the Bears shut out Mass. Maritime, 10-0. Silvia led a BSU defensive effort which limited the Buccaneers to 224 yards of total offense.

Through ten games this season, Silvia has recorded 85 tackles (54 solo) with 13 tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He currently leads the MASCAC and is tied for 33rd in all of Division III in solo tackles. Silvia also ranks second among the conference leaders in tackles for loss and third in total tackles.

In 41 games over four seasons with the Bears, Silvia has amassed 319 tackles (207 solo) with 37 tackles for loss, 7 1/2 sacks, four forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. He has also recorded 17 passes defended, including five interceptions, and returned a fumble for a touchdown (2021 Cranberry Bowl). Silvia has never missed a game throughout his career and started all 41.

The MASCAC Defensive Player of the Week distinction marks the third of Silvia's career as he also earned the honor during both the 2019 (Oct.20) and 2021 (Nov. 14) seasons.

The BSU football team wrapped up the regular season with an overall record of 6-4 including a 6-2 mark in the MASCAC. The Bears will play in the New England Bowl on Saturday, November 19th. The opponent, site and time will be announced tomorrow.