Defiance’s Pope named HCAC Defensive Player of the Week

CARMEL, Ind. – Defiance College senior defensive lineman Richard Pope IV (Daytona Beach, Fla./Atlantic) has been awarded Defensive Player of the Week by the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, the league announced on Monday.

During Defiance's 27-21 victory at Hanover on Saturday, Pope recorded three sacks as part of a six-tackle afternoon against the Panthers as the two-time, All-HCAC first-team performer dropped the opposing quarterback twice in the fourth quarter. His second sack of the day came on a second down play inside Defiance's red zone that eventually forced Hanover to settle for a field goal try that was missed with the game tied 21-21 with under five minutes left in the ballgame. Defiance drove down the field for the go-ahead touchdown, but the Panthers charged back into Defiance's end in the closing seconds of the game. Taking the final snap with two seconds left, Pope got to the quarterback again to seal the victory for the Jackets and earn a new single-game career high in sacks.

The honor is the second Defensive Player of the Week Award for his career at Defiance. His last nod came during Week 6 of the 2021 spring football season. Pope is currently second in the HCAC with four sacks this season after finishing second in the league a year ago with eight. After the three-sack performance on Saturday, Pope is now tied for second in career sacks in DC's football history with 21.

The Yellow Jackets return to the field this Saturday for homecoming against the Mount St. Joseph Lions. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Justin F. Coressel Stadium.

-JACKETS-