Just three games into his collegiate career, Matt Harding has already made an impact on the Charger football program.
Harding, a redshirt freshman defensive back, was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week Monday morning. The award was announced and chosen by the conference office.
During the Chargers' 34-18 upset win at #12 Ohio Dominican, Harding came up with what may go down as the play of the year. He blocked a Panther field goal attempt and returned it 80 yards for the Chargers' final touchdown in the victory. It was the first blocked field goal for a touchdown in the 17-year tenure of head coach Keith Otterbein, and provided yet another wild play in a game full of them.
Harding has quicky worked his way into the playing rotation and has shown an ability to be a hard-hitting and instinctive defensive back. He recorded six tackles in the win and also had an interception in the fourth quarter, the first of his career.
He is a ntive of Livonia, Michigan, and played his high school ball at Detroit Catholic Central.