Kennard and Stewart Share SEC Defensive Linemen of the Week Honors

University of South Carolina EDGE rushers Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart shared Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for their performances in Saturday’s season-opening win over Old Dominion, the conference office announced today.

Kennard, a fifth-year senior from Atlanta, recorded four tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in the Gamecocks’ 23-19 win over Old Dominion. The 6-5, 254-pound Georgia Tech transfer was also credited with a forced fumble. His strip sack on the second play of the game was recovered by the Gamecocks on the 3-yard line, setting up Carolina’s first touchdown of the season and an early lead. His 3.5 tackles for loss accounted for 18 yards of lost yardage for the Monarchs.

Stewart, who was named the 247Sports True Freshman of the Week, also came up big in the Gamecocks’ 23-19 win over Old Dominion. The 6-6, 248-pound true freshman from Washington, D.C., was credited with four tackles including 1.5 sacks, a quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles in the contest. Stewart’s strip sack midway through the fourth quarter inside the Monarchs’ 10-yard line set up the Gamecocks’ winning score. According to PFF College, the five-star prospect posted a 97.4 PFF grade in his collegiate debut.

Kennard, Stewart and the rest of the Gamecocks will travel to Lexington, Ky. this week for the SEC opener against the Kentucky Wildcats. Game time has been set for 3:30 pm ET and the contest will be televised nationally on ABC.