Snyder and Stambaugh named HCAC Players of the Week

DEFIANCE, Ohio—Keith Snyder and Blake Stambaugh have been named Heartland Conference Players of the Week for their performances in Defiance College’s 28-14 win over Hanover College on Saturday at Coressel Stadium.

Snyder (Martin, Mich./Martin) helped the Yellow Jackets slow down the nation’s fifth-ranked passing offense. The freshman defensive back intercepted a school record-tying three passes, all in the decisive second half. He had 74 return yards after the interceptions and helped set up the Yellow Jackets’ final score. Snyder also recorded eight tackles in the contest and broke up two other pass plays. He is fourth on his team with 33 tackles and his three interceptions lead the conference.

Stambaugh (Swanton, Ohio/Swanton) was instrumental in the Yellow Jackets’ win. The senior punter averaged 43.8 yards per punt on eight attempts and pinned the Panthers inside their own 20-yard line three times. He had two punts of 54 yards with one downed at the one-yard line and the other at the Panthers’ 13-yard line. Stambaugh, a two-time all-HCAC selection, is leading the HCAC in punting average (39.7 avg.).

Defiance has won four straight games to improve to 4-2 and sits atop the HCAC standings with a 2-0 mark. The Jackets will next travel to Cincinnati to face the Mount St. Joseph Lions on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.