STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State defensive tackle Jessie Bowman was named Southeastern Conference defensive lineman of the week, the SEC office announced on Monday.

Bowman, a 6’1”, 305-pounder from Brookhaven, Miss., posted a career-high eight tackles in Mississippi State's 3-2 loss to Auburn on Saturday night. He was also credited with a career-best 3.5 tackles-for-loss, including a fourth-quarter stop and forced-fumble that MSU recovered.

Bowman now has 12 tackles on the season, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and one forced fumble, He leads the SEC with four pass breakups on the year, and ranks tied for fourth in the conference in tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Bowman becomes only the second State defender to be honored as SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week since the conference office instituted the award in 2004. Former defensive end Willie Evans was chosen on September 17, 2005 following an MSU win over Tulane.

Mississippi State will play at Georgia Tech on Saturday, September 20. The game will kickoff at 11 a.m. Central Time, and be televised regionally by Raycom Sports.