James Madison senior defensive end John Daka has been selected as the STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week.

Daka contributed career-highs of nine tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks as No. 2 James Madison rallied past No. 5 Villanova, 38-24, last Saturday. The senior defensive end also forced a fumble that set up a game-tying touchdown early in the fourth quarter. 

The 5.0 tackles for loss are the most by a CAA player this season and the 2^nd-most by any player in FCS. The victory was the sixth straight for JMU, which improved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the CAA.

It was the fifth time this season that CAA Football has received a National Player of the Week award. 

Villanova junior cornerback Jaquan Amos was honored as Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 2, Elon senior defensive end Marcus Willoughby was named Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 9, Maine senior wide receiver/kick returner Earnest Edwards was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 23 and New Hampshire freshman linebacker Oleh Manzyk was chosen as the Freshman Player of the Week on Oct. 7.

In addition to Daka’s award, four CAA Football players – Elon quarterback Davis Cheek (Offensive), UAlbany quarterback Jeff Undercuffler (Offensive), Richmond linebacker Tyler Dressler (Defensive) and New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer (Freshman) - received honorable mention for national accolades from STATS.