Orono, Maine -- Senior linebacker Sterling Sheffield has been added to the 2018 STATS Football Championship Subdivision Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, as announced on Thursday, Nov. 8. The Buck Buchanan Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the Division I FCS.

Sheffield has put together and impressive 2018 campaign, ranking at or near the top of several conference and national statistical categories. At the time of the announcement, Sheffield ranked as the Colonial Athletic Association's leader in total sacks (8.5) and sacks per game (0.94) and checked in tied at the top of the league rankings in tackles for loss (TFL) (12.0) and tackles for loss per game (1.33). Sheffield's 6.6 total tackles ranked him tied for 21st among CAA leaders while his 59 total stops were tied for 19th best.

On the national scene, Sheffield ranks nine in sacks per game, 31st in TFLs per game and tied for ninth in total sacks.

The 6-2, 240 defender from Mullica Hill, N.J. also recorded the fifth interception of his career earlier this season to go along with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, one of which he recovered for a touchdown at William & Mary.

Sheffield recorded at least one TFL and at least one sack in seven of Maine's first nine games. Twice during the season Sheffield tallied a career-best 3.0 TFLs. One of his best performances of the season came at Central Michigan where he racked up 10 total tackles, 3.0 for loss, with a sack and a fumble recovery.
 

Sterling Sheffield, Maine, LB, Sr., 6-2, 240, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

Statistics: 59 tackles (34 solo), 12 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 FR (1 TD), 2 FF (9 games)

-UMaine-