Previously in conference history, only one player (Tiffin’s Daijohn Isbell) had recorded three interceptions in a single game. On Saturday, there were two times the rare feat happened, and Amato put the finishing touches on a career game as the Panthers routed Alderson Broaddus on the road.
The rangy senior had seven tackles, including two for a loss, three picks for a total of 98 return yards and one brought back for a pick six.
Amato set the conference record for return yardage in a game, breaking former teammate/Great Midwest Defensive Player of the Year Ross Thompson and Isbell’s mark of 73 yards, both in 2018.
Amato also tied Isbell and most recently, Findlay’s Christopher Jefferson, for the single-game milestone of 3 INT’s in regulation.
Amato’s effort limited the AB offense to just over 300 yards on the day and his 44-yard return for a score gave ODU a more than comfortable 49-10 advantage in the third quarter.
Amato is now ranked 13th in the conference in tackles with 32 and he is second in the league to UF’s Jefferson with four INT’s on the season. He is also tops in the league in passes defended with nine, tied with Hillsdale’s Alex Anschutz.