Oct. 3, 2011

University of South Carolina senior defensive end Melvin Ingram has been selected as the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Saturday’s 16-13 loss to Auburn.

Ingram, a 6-2, 276-pounder from Hamlet, N.C., recorded 11 total tackles, including eight solo stops. He had 4.5 tackles for loss including a career-best 3.5 sacks. He also intercepted a pass and was credited with two quarterback hurries.

The Gamecock defense limited Auburn to just 3.9 yards per play in the contest and 18 points below its season scoring average.

Ingram is now the SEC’s leader in both sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (7.5).

It’s the third time that Ingram has been honored by the SEC this season. He was the Special Teams Player of the Week following the Georgia game and was the Defensive Player of the Week following the Vanderbilt game. It’s also the fifth time a Gamecock has been honored by the SEC this season. Rokevious Watkins (offensive line – East Carolina game) and Marcus Lattimore (offense – Navy game) have also been recognized for their outstanding performances.

Ingram and the rest of the No. 18/14 Gamecocks (4-1, 2-1 SEC) will return to the practice fields tonight at 7 p.m.