LANCASTER, PA – Johns Hopkins senior defensive end Matthew Konkol and junior running back Geoff Schroeder have been named the Centennial Conference Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively, for their efforts in the Blue Jays' 16-7 win at previously unbeaten Ursinus on Saturday. This is the second consecutive week that Konkol has been honored, while it's the first time in his career that Schroeder has been selected.
Konkol led a Johns Hopkins defense that held the Bears to just the seven points – 36 below their season average entering the game – as he posted seven tackles, 3.5 sacks and one pass breakup. The seven tackles were one shy of his career high, while the 3.5 sacks were a personal best. In the last two games, Konkol has recorded 15 tackles and 6.0 sacks.
Through seven games, Konkol ranks seventh on the team in tackles (28) and leads the team in tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (6.5). In addition, he is tied for second in pass breakups (4). Konkol's two-game surge has pushed his career totals to 77 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks; he ranks 11th in school history in career sacks and 14th in career tackles for loss.
Schroeder rushed 19 times for a 128 yards and one touchdown to lead the way offensively for the Blue Jays at Ursinus. His 128 yards were more than double what Ursinus was allowing per game entering the contest (53.7) and he opened the second-half with the longest run of his career, a 72-yard touchdown run that increased a 10-7 Johns Hopkins lead to 16-7. The 72-yard run is tied for the 11th-longest rush in school history.
With his 128-yard effort against the Bears, Schroeder pushed his team-leading rushing total on the year to 382 yards. He also bumped his career totals to 1,176 yards and seven touchdowns and moved into 25th place on Johns Hopkins' career rushing list with his showing against Ursinus.
Johns Hopkins will return to action on Saturday, November 2 when the Blue Jays welcome Muhlenberg to Homewood Field for a key Centennial Conference game (2 pm).
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