Sierra Nets HCAC Weekly Honor After Record-Setting Return

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Tony Sierra set a new Defiance College record by returning a punt 84 yards for a touchdown in the Jackets' 23-13 win at Mount St. Joseph on Saturday and has been named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. [HCAC Release] [84-Yard Punt Return]

Sierra's efforts helped propel Defiance to its first victory of the year, after giving the Jackets a 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter. The Warren, Mich., native went on to average 48.5 yards per punt return, to go with four tackles, one hit for lost yardage and one pass breakup from his strong safety position.

Sierra is now averaging 20.2 yards per punt return, one season after topping the HCAC and ranking 36th in the nation with 11.0 yards per return.

The HCAC Player-of-the-Week honor is the third for Sierra in his three years with the Purple and Gold and his first for a performance on special teams. Sierra is the first member of the DC football team to receive such an honor in 2011.

Sierra and the Jackets (1-4, 1-2 HCAC) will look to even their HCAC mark on Saturday, as Earlham (0-6, 0-4 HCAC) is set to invade Coressel Stadium for a 1:30 pm start.