DALLAS — Troy safety Justin Powe earned Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honors after tying a school record with three interceptions in the Trojans’ 24–21 overtime victory at James Madison.
The Football Writers Association of America announced the award Nov. 3, recognizing Powe’s performance for the weekend of Oct. 31. The fifth-year safety returned one interception 37 yards for a touchdown and finished with seven tackles and two pass breakups.
Powe is the first Troy player to receive the weekly honor since the award began in 2001. Football Writers Association of America
Three interceptions help turn the game
Troy trailed 21–7 at halftime after allowing 236 total yards. Powe helped swing the momentum on the second play of the second half, intercepting a pass and returning it 37 yards for a touchdown.
It was his second interception of the game. All three of his picks came within a span of 9 minutes, 50 seconds of game clock, stretching from late in the second quarter into the third.
The interceptions were Powe’s first of the season and marked his first career game with multiple picks. He became the first Trojan to intercept three passes in a game since 2014.
Troy added another third-quarter touchdown to tie the score at 21.
Late pass breakup sends Troy to overtime
Powe delivered another decisive play on the final snap of regulation, breaking up a James Madison Hail Mary in the end zone after the receiver initially had the ball.
The play preserved the tie and sent the game to overtime. Hayden Wolfe then kicked a 27-yard field goal to give Troy the victory.
The Trojans held James Madison scoreless over the final 38 minutes and 41 seconds of regulation. The win ended the Dukes’ 11-game home winning streak and avenged Troy’s loss in the previous season’s Sun Belt Championship Game.
Troy forced five turnovers, its most in a game since 2022.
Veteran safety anchors the defense
Powe, a 6-foot, 210-pound native of Mobile, Alabama, entered the season as Troy’s only returning defensive starter.
Through the James Madison game, he ranked second on the team with 54 tackles, including 27 solo stops. According to the award announcement, his 89.9 PFF grade ranked first among FBS safeties with at least 420 snaps, while his 89.7 coverage grade ranked third nationally among safeties.
Powe has made 18 consecutive starts at safety and 33 starts during his Troy career.
Troy improved to 4–4 overall, and 2–2 in Sun Belt play. The Trojans next host Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 7, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. Central on ESPN+. Troy Athletics
Bronko Nagurski Trophy dates ahead
The FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists Nov. 19. The award recognizes college football’s national defensive player of the year.
The trophy presentation is scheduled for Dec. 7 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The winner will also be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on Dec. 11.
Named for former Minnesota and Chicago Bears star Bronko Nagurski, the trophy is part of the National College Football Awards Association’s collection of college football honors. National College Football Awards Association
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