BATON ROUGE, La.-ULM linebacker Theo Smith was named Louisiana Defensive Player of the Week, the Louisiana Sports Writers Association announced Monday evening. Smith was also named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Smith, a junior from New Orleans, had a career night finishing with 12 tackles (seven solo), a tackle for loss, a pass break up and the first interception of his career in ULM's 48-35 victory over Florida International this past Saturday. The interception came at a pivotal point in the game with the Warhawks leading by 13 in the fourth quarter and the Golden Panthers driving in ULM territory.

The first-year starter is fourth on the team (just one tackle out of second) with 28 stops on the season. Smith also ranks second on the team with three tackles for loss and third with three pass break ups.

The Warhawks, who are off to their best start since moving to Division I-A (Football Bowl Subdivision) in 1994, sit atop the Sun Belt standings at 2-0.

The Warhawks will look to match their best-ever Sun Belt Conference start when they host Arkansas State on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in front of a nationally-televised audience on ESPN2. ULM opened the 2005 season 3-0 in the Sun Belt before going on to claim a share of the league title.