Furman University

Honors & Awards
2023 Preseason All-Southern Conference (2nd Team)
2023 Furman Team Co-Captain
2022 Southern Conference Player of the Week (vs. Western Carolina)
2022 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll
2021 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll
2020 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll

2023 — Elected by his teammates as a co-captain...named to the Preseason All-Southern Conference 2nd Team as selected by the coaches.

2022 — Returned from injury that sidelined him for all but one game in 2021 to log starts in all 13 games and deliver solid play at defensive tackle, where he tallied 28 tackles, including 5.5 for-loss, a sack, and three blocked kicks...played a pivotal role in Furman’s 10-3 season that featured a stretch of seven consecutive wins and an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs, where the Paladins claimed a 31-6 first round home win over Elon...10 wins represented the most by Furman since 2005...team finished a consensus 10th in final AFCA and Stats Perform Polls...campaign was fueled with strong work by Furman’s defense, which led the FCS in turnovers gained (29), and by superior special teams play that saw the Paladins also top the FCS in blocked kicks (10)...helped the Paladins rank first in the SoCon in scoring (20.2 ppg) and red zone defense (71.7 percent, 28x39)...registered a season high five tackles and a pass breakup against Elon (31-6 win) in FCS first round playoff action...delivered a pair of tackles to go along with a blocked field goal and blocked PAT in a 47-40 win over Western Carolina...deflected PAT came with 2:18 remaining after WCU had scored to cut Furman’s lead to 44-40...work versus WCU netted him SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week honors...was joined for weekly honors against WCU by his former high school teammate, Dominic Roberto, who was named league offensive player of the week (25 rush, 252 yds., 2 TDs, 20-yard TD catch).

2021 — Entered the season as Furman’s starter at defensive tackle...earned the start in the Paladins’ season opening, 29-18 win over 24th-ranked North Carolina A&T before sustaining a season ending knee injury in the contest...awarded a medical redshirt and extra year of eligibility...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll for the 2021-22 school year.

2020 — Registered starts at defensive tackle in all seven games (spring of ‘21)...credited with 20 tackles, including 1.5 for-loss...tacked on two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and a blocked field goal...tallied a season-high seven tackles against The Citadel...broke up two passes and blocked a field goal versus Mercer...credited with forced fumble that led to turnover against East Tennessee State (17-13 win)...had four stops against Samford (44-37 OT win)...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll for the 2020-21 school year.

2019 — Logged playing time in all 13 games and made six starts at defensive tackle...credited with 12 tackles, including 1.5 for-loss, and a sack...also collected a batted pass for an interception (and three-yard return) against Samford to halt a Bulldog scoring threat inside the Furman 10...sack came in a 24-17 loss to Virginia Tech...played a key role in leading Furman to an 8-5 record, at-large berth to the FCS playoffs, and No. 19 ranking in the AFCA Coaches final poll...squad topped the SoCon in scoring defense and passing defense...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll for the 2019-20 school year.

2018 — Saw his first career action, appearing in three games and making his first career start versus East Tennessee State before sustaining a season ending injury...had a pair of tackles against both Elon and ETSU, the later of which also included a half sack.

2017 — Member of scout team...awarded redshirt and extra year of eligibility.

High School: 2017 graduate of Pine Forest (4A) High School...head coach was his father, Bill Sochovka...saw action at defensive end, tight end, and long snapper...compiled 219 tackles, 34 tackles for-loss, and 10 sacks in his career...served as team captain and totaled 105 tackles, 23 tackles for-loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2016...earned first team all-region and Mid-South Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Personal: Full name is Matthew Joseph Sochovka...born June 29, 1999, in Fayetteville, North Carolina...son of Bill and Sheila Sochovka...graduated from Furman in the fall of 2021 with a degree in communications studies...enrolled in Furman’s Strategic Design master’s program.