Oct. 3, 2005

University of Dayton senior linebacker John Hoppe (Northbrook, IL) has been named the Football Gazette's NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major Defensive Player of the Week this season for his play in Saturday's 49-17 win over Jacksonville.

He had previously been named the Pioneer Football League's Defensive Player of the Week.

Hoppe recorded nine tackles, but his biggest impact was in pass defense. Hoppe intercepted two passes, and returned the second one 47 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. That TD was the first salvo in a 28-point third quarter that broke the game wide open.

Hoppe leads UD in tackles (44), solo hits (22) and tackles in the backfield (6). His six tackles in the opponent backfield are tied for the best mark in the PFL.

Dayton is 5-0 and ranked #1 in the Sports Network, Football Gazette and Dopke.com NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major Rankings. The Flyers begin their "second season" Saturday when they travel to Des Moines, Iowa to take on preseason PFL North Division favorite Drake.

Drake quarterback Connor Jostes was one of two Football Gazette Mid-Major Offensive Players of the Week.