Courtesy: Keith Cline D.J. Smith had 39 tackles in three games in September, including a career-high 17 in a 20-7 win over Samford.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University linebacker D.J. Smith added to his list of early-season accolades on Wednesday when the Southern Conference named him its September Defensive Player of the Month.

Smith earned the honor on the strength of 39 tackles in three games, which tied for sixth nationally through the first month of the season. He was Appalachian’s leading tackler in all three contests in September.

The junior highlighted the impressive month with a career-high 17 tackles, a sack, one-and-a-half tackles for loss, two pass break-ups and two quarterback hurries in a 20-7 win over Samford on Sept. 26. In that game, he led a defensive charge that surrendered just 188 yards, one game after it allowed 522 yards in a 40-35 loss to McNeese State. Smith was named the SoCon and National Defensive Player of the Week following his performance against Samford.

The player-of-the-month recognition is the second of Smith’s career. He was also the SoCon’s Defensive Player of the Month as a true freshman in November 2007. 

PARKING/TRAFFIC TO BE AFFECTED BY HOMECOMING PARADE ON SATURDAY: Fans with Yosef Club parking passes for the Raley Lot on Saturday are reminded that the lot is used as the staging area for ASU’s annual homecoming parade and will not be available for parking until approximately 11 a.m.

Additionally, Rivers Street will be closed in front of Farthing Auditorium from 10:30 a.m. until the parade participants clear the Raley Lot.

Mountaineer faithful are encouraged to attend the homecoming parade, which will begin at the Raley Lot and wind its way through downtown Boone starting at 10:30 a.m. For more information on homecoming activities, click here.

HOMECOMING WEEKEND KICKS OFF THURSDAY WITH MOUNTAINEER TALK: Homecoming weekend kicks off on Thursday with Mountaineer Talk, the Appalachian ISP Sports Network’s weekly radio call-in show, which airs live from Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Boone (located in the Watauga Village Shopping Center on Blowing Rock Road) beginning at 7 p.m.

The “Voice of the Mountaineers” David Jackson and head coach Jerry Moore will be on hand to recap last week’s overtime win at The Citadel, preview Saturday’s homecoming battle with North Carolina Central and answer questions from fans gathered at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and listening around the world. Jackson will also be joined by new ASU men’s basketball head coach Buzz Peterson, who will share his thoughts on the fast-approaching hoops season.

Fans that can’t be on hand at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s can tune in to the hour-long show on the following Appalachian ISP Sports Network affiliates: flagship station WKBC 97.3 FM (North Wilkesboro, Hickory, Charlotte, High Country), WATA 1450 AM (Boone), WDNC 620 AM (Durham) and WHKP 1450 AM (Hendersonville), as well as on tape delay at 6 p.m. Friday on WPCM 920 AM (Burlington). A free live stream can be heard worldwide by clicking HERE.

SUBMIT YOUR BIDS FOR SPECIAL GRIDIRON EXPERIENCES: Appalachian fans can click HERE now to submit bids for two very special football experiences during the Black Saturday showdown with Georgia Southern on Oct. 24.

The first auction allows two fans to join the Appalachian ISP Sports Network radio crew during their day at The Rock, from breakfast through the end of the postgame show.

The second auction allows one fan’s personal message to be displayed on the GoASU TV videoboard at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Bids can be submitted for both auctions until 2 p.m. Saturday.