Troy University Athletics
11/2/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Coming off a historic performance in Troy's victory at James Madison, fifth-year safety Justin Powe has been named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
Powe recorded three interceptions – one he returned for a touchdown – two pass break ups and seven tackles in Troy's 24-21 overtime victory, snapping James Madison's 11-game home winning streak.
The nation's top-rated safety, per Pro Football Focus, with an 89.9 grade, became the first player since 2017 to record that stat line and just the fifth since at least 1995. He was the first player since 2019 to record three interceptions and two pass break ups in a game.
Powe's second interception came on the second play of the third quarter, flipping the game's momentum on a dime. He returned the interception 37 yards for a touchdown, pulling Troy within seven points. Eight minutes later, Jaheim Merriweather tied the game on a 28-yard touchdown run.
On JMU's final play of the fourth quarter, Powe, a native of Mobile, Ala., stripped the ball from 6-foot-5 tight end Cole Keller's hands as he attempted to come down with a Hail Mary in the end zone.
He ranks 5th nationally (min. 200 coverage snaps) among safeties with an 89.7 PFF coverage grade and is 12th with just three first downs allowed in coverage.
Players Mentioned
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