Pope named HCAC Athlete of Week, to D3football.com Team of Week

CARMEL, Ind. – Defiance College freshman defensive lineman Richard Pope IV (Holly Hill, Fla./Atlantic) was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week on the defensive side of the ball in football, the conference announced on Tuesday afternoon after a vote of its sports information directors. Additionally, Pope was selected as one of three defensive tackles on the D3football.com Team of the Week on Tuesday morning for games played between April 9-10. It marks the first time he has received either honor.

In Defiance's slim 23-20 loss at HCAC rival Bluffton University last Saturday, Pope had a game-high 10 total tackles, including six solos, four for loss and a sack. He also was credited with a quarterback hurry.

Besides claiming the HCAC award, Pope's breakout game also earned him national recognition as a member of the D3football.com Team of the Week. The Team of the Week, the website's weekly honor roll, is in its 22^nd season of honoring the top performers at each position from the previous week.

Pope leads the conference in both tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (5.5). He also ranks tied for second in tackles for loss per game (1.75) and fourth in sacks per game (0.92).

The Yellow Jackets, 2-4 overall and in the HCAC, are scheduled to conclude their spring season with a conference contest at Franklin College this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. in Franklin, Indiana.