Week 7 Stats: 2 tackles (1 solo), 1.5 tackles-for-loss (9 yards), 1.5 sack (9 yards), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, 1 quarterback hurry
Watkins was all over the field in what was a historic outing for LIU on Saturday. The senior was the anchor of a defense that held visiting Stonehill to just seven points, marking a program-best defensive performance for the Sharks since they joined the NEC for the 2019 campaign. An outside linebacker from Oxford, MS who arrived in Brookville by way of Northeast Mississippi Community College, Watkins registered a quarterback hurry, a pair of tackles and 1.5 sack for a loss of nine yards to lead the Sharks past the Skyhawks, 31-7, for their first win of the season. Most impressively, he accounted for two of LIU’s three live-ball turnovers after he forced and recovered a fumble on the opening drive of the game and intercepted a pass late in the second quarter. The senior ranks second on the team in tackles-for-loss (4.0) and is tied for first with 3.0 sacks. Watkins is the second Shark to garner NEC Defensive Player of the Week honors, joining Taveon Wheeler, who earned the first award of the season on Sept. 2.