ANGOLA, IND. -- The Trine University football team had two players selected to this week's Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association "Teams of the Week" with sophomore linebacker Simeon Washington (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) being tabbed "Defensive Player of the Week" and freshman kicker Ryan Hibbets (Monticello, Ind./Twin Lakes) garnering "Special Teams Player of the Week" honors.
Both players played key roles in the Thunder's 50-14 win against Hope (Mich.) College on Saturday (Oct. 21) and staying undefeated for the season.
Washington led the team in tackles with eight (one solo and seven assists), including a half tackle for loss. As a unit, the Trine defense held the Flying Dutchmen to just 86 yards rushing and forced four takeaways (one interception and three fumbles). The Thunder also held Hope to under under 300 yards of total offense (265) marking the sixth time this season Trine has held its opponent to under 300 yards of offense.
For the season, Washington leads the team in tackles with 42 (19 solo and 23 assists) to go along with four tackles for loss, including one quarterback sack. He also has forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Hibbets connected on a 40-yard field goal against Hope. He had another successful 40-yard attempt later in the game negated by a Hope penalty that extended the Trine drive which later ended in a touchdown. On kickoffs, he averaged 61.2 yards per kick (nine attempts) with five touchbacks.
Through seven games, Hibbets is two-for-three in field goal attempts with both successful kicks being 40-yarders. He is averaging 60.3 yards per kickoff with 16 touchbacks.
Trine will play its next two games on the road, beginning with a MIAA game against Adrian (Mich.) College on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Adrian, Mich. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.