CONWAY, Ark. _ Jonathan Woodard earned the University of Central Arkansas’ sixth player of the week award in the first five weeks of the season on Monday when he was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

    Woodard, a 6-foot-5, 251-pound redshirt freshman defensive end from Brentwood, Tenn., forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles, returning one 72 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown that brought the Bears within one score with 4:29 remaining. He also had two tackles for loss among his five stops in UCA’s 42-37 loss at Stephen F. Austin.

    UCA has had a least one of the three conference players of the week in five consecutive weeks this season. Woodard is the second defensive player honored, joining linebacker Rojae Jackson, who earned the award in Week 1 after the Ole Miss game.

    The Bears return home this weekend, hosting Nicholls State at 6 p.m. for Hall of Fame Weekend.