NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Yale football defensive lineman Clay Patterson keyed a staunch defensive effort for the Bulldogs Saturday at Lehigh and the performance was recognized by the Ivy League with its Defensive Player of the Week award.

Patterson led the defensive charge that blanked the Lehigh on the road. The 34-0 victory kept the Yank Townsend trophy in the Elm City. It was Yale's first shutout in four years.

Additionally, Patterson was recognized by STATS Perform on its weekly FCS National Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention list.

The Frisco, Texas, native was a force with four sacks in the game. He helped the Yale defense total eight sacks which tied a high mark under head coach Tony Reno. 

Patterson also had game-highs with nine solo tackles and five tackles for loss.

The Ivy League weekly award is Yale's first of the 2021 season and the Bulldogs' first defensive Ivy accolade since Rodney Thomas II earned the honor on September 30, 2019.

Sophomore wide receiver Mason Tipton and second-year kicker and punter Jack Bosman were recognized on the Ivy League Weekly Honor Roll.

The Elis are back in action this Saturday, October 9, at Dartmouth.