Massachusetts Maritime senior linebacker Walter Butler earned the nod as the New England Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks on Saturday evening for his efforts in the Buccaneers’ 34-6 victory over Maine Maritime in the 39^th Annual Admiral’s Cup at Clean Harbors Stadium.

A native of Bourne, Mass. and a graduate of Bishop Stang High School, Butler forced a pair of fumbles, returning one 48 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown, while adding seven solo tackles (including four for losses totaling 16 yards), a pair of sacks, two quarterback hurries and a pass break-up in the triumph for Massachusetts Maritime, which reclaimed the Admiral’s Cup from the visiting Mariners for the first time in eight years and clinched its first outright winning season since 2000.  The hosts forced nine turnovers on the day and tied the school record for most fumbles recovered with seven.

This week’s honor is the third of Butler’s career, as he also copped the NEFC accolade on October 8^th after recording 11 total tackles (eight solo and three for losses totaling 10 yards) and forcing a fumble with 1:34 remaining that set up the Buccaneers’ winning touchdown in the closing seconds of a 23-19 triumph over Worcester State.  Butler also blocked a PAT attempt in the third quarter that would have given the Lancers the lead in the game and added a key stop on 3^rd-and-Goal that forced a field goal.

Butler ranks third nationally in NCAA Division III play in forced fumbles (six) this fall, and he is also ranked fifth nationally in tackles for losses with 17 totaling 60 yards to date.  Massachusetts Maritime, winners of three straight, takes a 5-2 overall record and a 3-2 NEFC Bogan Division slate under seventh year Head Coach Jeremy Cameron on the road next Saturday with a league contest at Westfield State that kicks off at 2:00 p.m. EDT.