Linebacker CHRIS BORLAND of the San Francisco 49ers was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for November, the NFL announced today.
DEFENSE: LB CHRIS BORLAND, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
· Borland, a third-round selection (No. 77 overall) out of Wisconsin, led the NFL with 70 tackles in November, 23 more than anyone else in the league. He had 10 tackles for a loss and added two interceptions and a fumble recovery during the month.
· He started all five games in November and registered at least 10 tackles in four contests.
· Borland is the only player in the past 20 years to record at least 70 tackles and two interceptions in a month.
· In Week 10, he set up the game-winning field goal in overtime by recovering a fumble at the Saints’ 17-yard line.
· He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 11 after a 12-tackle, two-interception performance at the New York Giants. In that game, Borland became the first rookie linebacker in club history to record two interceptions in a game and joined KEN NORTON, JR. (October 22, 1995) as the only 49ers linebackers with two interceptions in a game in the past 40 years.
· Borland is the third 49ers linebacker to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. He joins PATRICK WILLIS (October and December, 2007) and ALDON SMITH (October and December, 2011).
